United to win: Ukraine and Lithuania forge stronger partnership in drones, ammunition, and electronic warfare production

On November 4, November 4, a meeting was held in Kyiv between the Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, the Minister of Strategic Industries, Herman Smetanin, and the Lithuanian delegation led by the Minister of National Defense of Lithuania, Laurynas Kasčiūnas.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported that.

The parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which establishes cooperation between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Lithuania, the Ministry of Economy and Innovation of Lithuania, and the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine.

^{Photo: Ministry of Defense}

"The memorandum envisages the joint production of UAVs and their components, ammunition and components, electronic warfare equipment, and development of advanced technologies. I am sincerely grateful to Lithuania and personally to Mr. Kasčiūnas for the comprehensive support of Ukraine. Lithuania is our faithful friend who helps us diplomatically, economically, and, most importantly, militarily," the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov said.

In addition to signing the memorandum, during the meeting, the parties discussed specific plans for 2025 regarding the further expansion of military aid to Ukraine. Representatives of Ukrainian intelligence provided Lithuanian partners with updated information on the current situation at the front and also jointly analyzed possible aggressive plans of the enemy for the autumn-winter period.

"Today, we see how Russia receives help from dictatorial regimes, including the involvement of human resources from North Korea. But I am convinced that with such reliable partners as Lithuania, we will defeat the aggressor," the Minister of Defense of Ukraine concluded.

For reference:

The Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Lithuania, Arvydas Anušauskas, presented the updated concept of the "Demining Coalition" to the Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Yuriy Dzhyhyr, during his visit to Vilnius.

On September 28, Lithuania announced it would provide Ukraine with a preliminary military aid package. Lithuania has already assisted Ukraine with more than 683 million euros.

The Ministry of Defense of Lithuania also reminded that the country has allocated 35 million euros to the Czech initiative on ammunition for Ukraine and also stated that Vilnius has already developed a long-term plan to support Ukraine, which provides for the provision of a package of military aid in the amount of 200 million euros during 2024-2026.