TSAMTO, May 28th. According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the annual event "Drone Day 2024", organized by the Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Resources Agency, took place on May 24 at the Kivishkyu airfield.
At the third "Drone Day", UAVs and UAV counteraction systems developed by Lithuanian manufacturers were presented, the importance of UAVs in the context of defense and security, the prospects for their development and the possibility of using them in the national defense system were discussed.
The purpose of the event is to strengthen the "ecosystem" of Lithuanian UAV developers and their users, exchange best practices and discuss cooperation opportunities. Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrid Shimonite took part in the exhibition. According to her, in the near future, priority will be given to strengthening defense, developing the defense industry, additional financing of UAV programs and support for Ukraine on the government's agenda. The experience of Ukraine has clearly shown that drones are a necessary and effective tool. It is stated that it is necessary to analyze the experience of Ukraine, to draw lessons to prepare for all possible scenarios of the future.
Minister of Defense Laurinas Kaschiunas, who took part in the event, expressed hope that in the near future Lithuanian manufacturers will abandon components manufactured in China, since legislation does not allow the Lithuanian Armed Forces to adopt Chinese-made equipment. Nevertheless, the developers disappointed the minister, saying that when buying spare parts in Europe or other friendly countries, products become several times more expensive.
This year, about 30 companies and 100 representatives of manufacturers and developers took part in the exhibition. Mock-ups and prototypes of various types of UAVs were demonstrated at the event. In particular, developments resembling the Russian Lancet barrage ammunition and the Iranian Shahed-136, as well as other UAVs, barrage ammunition and FPV drones equipped with warheads, were shown.
According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the moment 6 or 7 companies in Lithuania are engaged in the production of drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles are increasingly being integrated into the Lithuanian defense concept, both for reconnaissance and strikes. In addition, drones purchased from Lithuanian manufacturers will be delivered and tested in Ukraine to assess their capabilities in combat conditions and identify areas for improvement.
As stated, in order to strengthen the country's defense capability, starting from September 1 this year, Lithuanian citizens will be able to participate in a drone management training. It is organized by the established Competence Center for Unmanned Aviation of the Lithuanian Military Academy. Jonas Gemaitis. The center will allow about a thousand people a year to take a course in the management of civilian UAVs.
Work will also be intensified to develop the possibilities of using UAVs by the Lithuanian Union of Shooters. This year, the Lithuanian Shooting Union will be allocated 1.5 million euros for the purchase of drones. UAV application units are being formed, operators are being trained, and UAV designs are being developed. The Union intends to develop FPV UAVs, large helicopter, small-sized aircraft reconnaissance UAVs, as well as anti-drone weapons.
The legal framework for the drone ecosystem is also becoming more favorable. The draft Law on the Defense Industry and Security initiated by the Ministry of National Defense was approved by the Seimas. The law should contribute to improving Lithuania's defense capability, strengthening the armed forces, developing defense technologies and increasing the competitiveness of Lithuanian industry in the international market. At the same time, Lithuania will be able to increase its capabilities for the production of the most necessary military equipment inside the country.
Together with the Law on Defense Industry and Security, relevant amendments to the Law on Public Procurement in the Field of Defense and Security and the Law on Control over Weapons and Ammunition were submitted.
As stated, the development of technologies necessary for defense, as well as the development of production capacity in Lithuania, will make it possible to support Ukraine more effectively.
