Lithuania’s Defence Ministry has proposed establishing a defence attaché post at the country’s embassy in Israel, saying the move would support military procurement and help ensure stable supply chains.
“Lithuania’s interest is not limited to acquiring military equipment and weapons from Israeli manufacturers or ensuring maintenance of the equipment purchased. It also includes ensuring supply chain stability, developing joint defence industry projects in Lithuania and strengthening the export potential of the national defence industry,” the ministry said in comments to BNS.
The ministry said the defence attaché would liaise with Israeli defence and industry institutions, facilitate bilateral cooperation between institutions and armed forces, and provide information on the regional security situation.
The proposal is in line with goals set out in the government’s program to expand cooperation in security, defence and the defence industry, the ministry said.
“When considering the establishment of this position, we assessed Lithuania’s defence and security interests and took into account the country’s foreign policy. If approved, the Lithuanian defence attaché in Israel would join other EU and NATO defence attachés based in Tel Aviv, including representatives of Lithuania’s strategic partners, the US, Germany and Poland,” the ministry said.
The ministry added that it and the Lithuanian Armed Forces aim to draw on Israel’s experience in areas such as total defence, mobilisation, crisis management and strengthening societal resilience.
Lithuania has in recent years sought to deepen defence cooperation with allies and partners as it responds to Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and broader regional security challenges.
Israel has been credibly accused of perpetrating a genocide in the Gaza Strip. It has also encouraged the development of Jewish settlements, illegal under international law, in the occupied West Bank.
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