Lithuania’s government has eased procurement rules when buying drones, counter-drone systems, optical surveillance equipment and laser target designators.
Following the changes, Lithuania’s Defence Ministry will spend 12 million euros on counter-drone systems from NT Service, as well as 9 million euros on optics from Brolis Semiconductors and 1.5 million euros on laser target designators from Aktyvus Photonics.
NT Service, Brolis, and Aktyvus Photonics are all Lithuanian companies. The ministry did not name any specific manufacturers for UAV acquisitions.
Lithuania plans to spend up to 19 million euros on various types of FPV and reconnaissance drones, and other systems.
The UAVs will be purchased from domestic companies that either manufacture or assemble them in Lithuania.
"Lithuanian companies would have to meet key requirements – the drone control software must be developed in Lithuania, and the cloud infrastructure used to store and transmit drone data must be located exclusively in NATO or European Union member states. This would help protect the UAVs and their data from cyber threats and ensure secure use," the ministry said.
It noted that more than one supplier may be chosen for each type of drone, in a bid to support and encourage local companies manufacturing and assembling UAVs.
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