ive Lithuanian drone manufacturers participated in this round of testing, showcasing products that had been adjusted based on feedback from previous evaluations. This effort is part of a broader initiative by Lithuania to promote the development of drones and drone jamming equipment, an area of growing importance for both Lithuanian and Ukrainian defence strategies.
“Lithuania is committed to advancing its drone production capabilities, which are crucial for modern military operations,” said Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kačiūnas. “The collaboration with Ukraine, which includes testing and refining these drones, is a significant step forward for our manufacturers. The experience shared by the Ukrainians on the effectiveness of drones in combat is invaluable, and contracts will soon be signed with the companies whose products meet the Ukrainian military’s requirements.”
The drones tested in Ukraine vary in technical specifications, components, and innovative features. After evaluating these models, the Ukrainian side has provided feedback, which will guide the final proposals from Lithuanian manufacturers. The next steps involve finalizing contracts based on these evaluations.
Lithuania has earmarked EUR 5 million in assistance to Ukraine for the procurement of these drones, with an additional EUR 3 million allocated for similar equipment for the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
In addition to this collaboration with Ukraine, Lithuania is also focused on enhancing its own drone capabilities. The Ministry of National Defence is working on developing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ecosystem that will be integrated across various levels of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, including soldiers, students, and riflemen.
Earlier in July, the Defence Materiel Agency under the Ministry of Defence signed contracts for the acquisition of different types of drones. These include small-class surveillance drones from the Latvian company Edge Autonomy, mini-class surveillance drones from the Estonian company Threod Systems, and micro-class quadcopters from Lithuania’s Deftools UAB. The total value of these acquisitions is nearly EUR 36 million, with most of the equipment expected to be delivered by autumn and the remainder by early 2025. This urgent procurement is aimed at quickly strengthening Lithuania’s drone capabilities and integrating them into the armed forces.