Lithuania moves to produce Ukrainian drones under bilateral defence agreement

Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said on Tuesday that the country wants to establish production of Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles on its territory. The plan would be implemented through joint investments under a bilateral defence industry cooperation agreement signed by Lithuania and Ukraine in May.

In an interview with the business daily Verslo žinios, Kaunas said the agreement with Ukraine is known as the “drone deal.” He noted that changes are currently being made within the ministry’s team to bring in key staff who will begin translating that agreement into practical solutions on the ground, with the goal of localizing Ukrainian drone production in Lithuania.

According to Kaunas, the drones would be built in Lithuania using technology acquired from Ukraine. The project would benefit both countries, he said, as it would expand Ukraine’s production capacity while strengthening Lithuania’s defence industry through new manufacturing capabilities, technological advances and opportunities for Lithuanian engineers to work together with Ukrainian specialists.

Elijus Čivilis, chief executive of the investment promotion agency Invest Lithuania, has previously said that several Ukrainian defence industry investors had received approval from Lithuania’s commission reviewing transactions in line with national security interests to begin operating in the country.

In June, Kaunas invited Luxuav, a Luxembourg-based drone manufacturer founded by Ukrainians, to carry out testing in Lithuania.