Legal basis for military cooperation. A Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the fields of defense, military industry, research and development was signed in Vilnius in 2004. A bilateral agreement on the protection of classified military information was signed in Israel in 2011. A letter of intent on cooperation in the field of cybersecurity was signed between the Israeli National Cyber Directorate and the National Cyber Security Center under the Ministry of National Defense in 2019.
There is no military diplomatic representation.
Bilateral cooperation. The Commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, the Minister, Deputy Ministers, and the Chancellor of the Ministry of National Defense visited Israel on working visits or met with Israeli representatives in Lithuania from 2016 to 2019. The first bilateral security-defense consultations at the level of department directors were held on 5-6 December 2017 in Vilnius.
5 essential directions for further cooperation are planned: 1) holding of regular bilateral consultations on security and defense issues; 2) cooperation in the field of acquisitions/defense industry; 3) cooperation in the fields of cybersecurity; 4) exchange of experience, familiarization with the universal conscription system of Israel, public resilience, public preparation for defense, and organization of resistance; 5) the possibility of inviting Israeli lecturers/instructors to the Baltic Defense College.
Cyber defense is one of the most important areas of cooperation. Israel suggests to get interested in their cyber defense expertise and products, exchange experience in repelling cyber attacks or developing new projects to combat cyber threats. Lithuanian representatives are often invited to participate and give presentations on issues of cybersecurity.
Representatives of the defense industry also cooperate, negotiations are underway on the supply of elements of weaponry and the provision of services for upgrading existing weaponry. Israeli companies participated in the modernization of mortars used by the Lithuanian Armed Forces and in strengthening the protection of Lithuanian airspace. Currently, one of the largest projects for strengthening the capabilities of the Lithuanian Armed Forces is still underway – the acquisition of the IFV Vilkas. One of its main components was developed by the Israeli company Rafael.
