Lithuania and Ukraine plan to jointly manufacture weapons, with Lithuanian companies already prepared to take part, Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė told BNS on Sunday.
Speaking during her visit to Kyiv, Šakalienė said a bilateral meeting with her Ukrainian counterpart is planned, during which a letter of intent on joint weapons production will be signed.
“There are companies in Lithuania ready to produce weapons with Ukraine, but we need to agree on common points regarding licensing and exports,” she said.
Lithuania also intends to contribute up to €30 million to the Priority Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), a mechanism launched last month by US President Donald Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Šakalienė said discussions are ongoing with the future Lithuanian prime minister to ensure the contribution is provided as quickly as possible.
On Sunday, the Defence Minister spoke at the Defence Industry Forum, and earlier met with representatives of the Ukrainian Air Force. She said bilateral consultations will continue “at a very practical level,” covering joint experience-sharing, response and detection measures.
Šakalienė is also due to meet the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) in Vilnius in September to discuss strengthening anti-drone defences.
Earlier this summer, Lithuania began enhancing its anti-drone measures after two Russian-made Gerbera drones crossed from Belarus, one carrying 2kg of explosives.
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