Beefing up Lithuania’s defence industry is a national security priority, President Gitanas Nausėda said on Tuesday after visiting Giraitės Ginkluotės Gamykla (GGG) ammunition factory in the district of Kaunas.
“The development and strengthening of the military manufacturing industry is Lithuania’s national security priority,” the president said in a press release.
“The Lithuanian industry successfully contributes to supplying the country’s defence system, but we are striving for even greater growth of investment in armament production,” he added.
In Nausėda’s words, the industry’s growth would help ensure sufficient production of critical military stocks.
GGG has the potential to increase cooperation with the Lithuanian Armed Forces, whose needs for different types of ammunition are growing, according to the press release.
Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anušauskas, who also participated in the meeting with the GGG management, said the plant could ensure the supply of ammunition within a short period of time.
“Given the tense geopolitical situation and the need to increase the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ resources and reserves, the rapid and efficient procurement and supply is of utmost importance to us,” the defence ministry’s press release quoted Anušauskas as saying.
According to him, the state-owned plant has the potential “to facilitate the supply chain and ensure the production of ammunition in a short period of time”.
GGG produces military and civilian ammunition, as well as various components. Almost all of its products are intended for use by the armed forces of NATO and other countries.
The company is on the list of enterprises that are strategically important for Lithuanian national security.
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