The Ministries of Defence of Lithuania and Finland reopened cooperation on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation on Defence Acquisition aiming to further strengthen and expand bilateral cooperation on weaponry and defence technology, facilitate information exchange between the countries, expansion of scientific research and implementation of joint procurement.
“Lithuania and Finland are tied together by different defence connections and formats, such as the Joint Expeditionary Force, Baltic-Nordic and the Northern Groups. This MoU is yet another step towards the same goal, i.e., even closer cooperation and strengthened defensive capabilities of both countries,” Vice Minister of National Defence Vilius Semeška said after signing the Memorandum of Understanding in Helsinki.
The first iteration of the defence cooperation document between Lithuania and Finland was signed in 2005 and was effective until 2015. It has been reactivated with regard to the changed geopolitical situation and the need to continue further cooperation among countries.
Vice Minister also discussed the transfer of Jehu-class patrol ship to Lithuania at the meeting with National Armaments Director at Finland’s Ministry of Defense, Raimo Jyväsjärvi. The contract is expected to be signed shortly. According to V. Semeška, the ships would supplement Lithuania’s coastal surveillance capabilities and fill the coverage gap in the Curonian Lagoon.
Lithuania has an ongoing procurement cooperation with Finland on command and control equipment. The Lithuanian Armed Forces has been equipped with SitaWare Battle Management System and extensions by Systematic which is also being expanded, on the basis of a contact signed in 2016. The acquisition procedures, introduction of the system, support and extension are carried out via the representation of Systematic in Finland, Tampere.
In 2017 Lithuania signed a contract with Finnish company Navielektro Ky on an integrated maritime surveillance system and a software upgrade of technical surveillance equipment system. A contract is planned to be signed this year on an additional upgrade to adapt the system to protect classified information.