The first Israel-Lithuania Defense Innovation Forum “Securing the Future” co-organized by the Embassy of Israel in Lithuania together with the International Defense Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) at the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) took place in Vilnius Wednesday.
Designers and manufacturers of the most advanced weaponry systems, approx. 15 Israel’s defence industry companies, were in attendance establishing contacts with Lithuanian businesses, entrepreneurs and public officials, in total, 40 Lithuanian manufacturers, over 100 NATO, Lithuanian President’s, governmental and parliamentary representatives, as well as of security agencies and defence associations.
The audience were familiarized with the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence’s perspective on strategic threats and potential solutions to existing challenges, and national legal practices and regulation pertaining to defence procurement.
“Lithuania and Israel are united by shared security challenges: we are developing strategic cooperation, including total defence and defence industry. Hoping for peace is not enough, we have to take every necessary security measure. Lithuania should benefit from Israel’s experience, seek to integrate tried, internationally approved technologies and innovations,” said Vice Minister Orijana Mašalė.
The event participants learned about strategic aspects of the regional security challenges of Israel, its unique defence ecosystem, most advanced, already battle-tested defence technology, and lessons taught by the war against Hamas terrorist organisation. They also took a peak at the most significant challenge of modern times: AI, a transformative factor to security and defence.
“Israel and Lithuania share a deep history, but our focus today is on the future – on innovation, security, and economic growth. This forum is an important step in strengthening our defense industries and building lasting partnerships that will benefit both our countries,” emphasized Ambassador of Israel to Lithuania, Hadas Wittenberg Silverstein, in her opening remarks.
The 15 Israel defence companies represented at the event introduced to partners and clients their various technological innovations: from analytical tools, training to a wide-range weaponry production capabilities.
Principal Deputy Director of SIBAT in the IMOD Shahar Horev said after meeting with Vice Minister of National Defence Orijana Mašalė that “This event is a testament to the strong and enduring strategic ties between Israel and Lithuania, which have been steadily growing since the establishment of our diplomatic relations. The Israeli defense industry is at the forefront of cutting-edge solutions. We are pleased to share our unique advantages with Lithuania, including the ability to integrate technological innovations from civilian high-tech to the defense sector and vice versa, the rapid pace at which we improve our systems based on lessons learned from our operational experience, and the flexibility of our industries in creating joint industrial partnerships. “
Bilateral meetings allowed for extensive bilateral networking in B2B and B2G formats between the Israeli security and de fence companies and Lithuanian companies and public institutions.
“Development of the Lithuanian defence industry is among the strategic priorities of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation. We seek to strengthen this sector gradually by amassing targeted investment, integrating new instruments of support and fostering an innovation and high value technology-friendly environment in tight cooperation with national and international partners. We have a clear-cut goal to ensure that Lithuania’s defence ecosystem is resilient, competitive and a significant contribution to national and collective security,” said Minister of Economy and Innovation Lukas Savickas in his address at the Forum.
B2B and B2G meetings addressed potential in different partnerships and areas of cooperation.
- Photo credit: A. Pliadis / MoD
