Vice Minister of National Defence Loreta Maskaliovienė conducted a formal visit to Japan on June 8-10 where she opened the Lithuania–Japan Business Forum. The event in Tokyo addressed the ecosystem of the Lithuanian defence industry and opportunities of cooperation. Approx. 20 Lithuanian and Japanese defence industry companies were represented at the event.
“Lithuania and Japan have been strengthening partnership on cyber defence and military exchange in the recent years. Today marks a yet one more stage of cooperation, in defence industry. Our objective is not only to share experience but also to generate mutual and long-term value. We can identify a vast potential in cooperation in the area of defence industry with Japan, especially in attracting its investment to Lithuania, “ Vice Minister said.
The Lithuania delegation presented Lithuania’s directions of development in defence industry which are centered around three key ones: ammunition and explosives, UAV and anti-drone systems, repair of heavy equipment and maritime defence capabilities. It was underlined that Lithuanian companies are developing hi-tech solutions which have been tested on the battlefield in Ukraine.
Another point of discussion was creation of a favorable environment for national and foreign investment in defence, the so-call “green corridor”, cutting down regulatory barriers significantly and simplifying the procedures of use of land and constructions permissions for defence industry projects.
This forum is a practical step in the implementation of Lithuania’s Strategy for Security and Defence Engagement in the Indo-Pacific Region which identifies Japan as the key partner in the region.
During the visit Vice Minister L. Maskaliovienė also met with Senior Adviser to the Minister of Defence Kenji Wakamiya, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) Commissioner Takeshi Ishikawa and Chief Executive Director of the Japan Association of Defence Industries (JADI) Nobuaki Miyama. The meetings focussed on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the area of defence industry, addressed regional security and the war in Ukraine.
Vice Minister L. Maskaliovienė’s visit to Japan is part of the consistent regional policy carried out by the Ministry of National Defence. Last month the country was visited by Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė in what was the first official visit of such level in ten years.
