The Lithuanian government has granted the status of a project ensuring the urgent security and defence needs of the state to the artillery ammunition plant of Rheinmetall, which is planned to be built in the Radviliškis district.
The status will allow the German defence industry giant to start building its factory, named the Lithuanian Centre of Excellence for Ammunition, without the usual construction permit, which will have to be obtained before the construction is completed.
“This status triggers accelerated procedures that allow the project to be developed quickly,” Economy and Innovation Minister Aušrinė Armonaitė told the cabinet on Wednesday.
The Defence Ministry says the factory would supply the Lithuanian Armed Forces with the required amount of ammunition and ensure its continuous supply in the event of a threat.
“The production of 155 mm ammunition and the provision of a reliable supply to the Lithuanian Armed Forces and to foreign battlegroups operating in Lithuania is a fundamental and urgent national security and defence need that must be ensured immediately,” the ministry said.
The parliament in April passed legislative amendments to create more favourable conditions for major Western arms and ammunition manufacturers, including Rheinmetall, to build factories in Lithuania as quickly as possible.
Rheinmetall plans to invest more than 180 million euros in its 155 mm artillery ammunition factory, which is expected to create at least 150 new jobs. The facility has been granted the status of a large-scale project.
The land lease agreement with the German company is expected to be signed in the first half of July, with construction planned to begin in October.
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