Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas took part in the EU Foreign Affairs and Defence Minsters’ meeting for addressing the EU military assistance to Ukraine. L. Kasčiūnas maintained at the session that he had just returned from Ukraine were he witnessed air defence as Ukraine’s most pressing need.
“Lithuania will aim to fill in one more gap in Ukraine’s air defence with radar purchasing. We are reviewing our priorities looking for options to contribute air surveillance radars to Ukraine’s security at the soonest. We have to consider every alternative for acquisitions in air defence and to do so without further delay,” said L. Kasčiūnas to the EU Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers.
Minister added it was obvious the Ukrainians lacked not just air defence systems but also every kind of ammunition which had to be addressed with a steady and certain supply.
“We have an excellent opportunity opening, namely, joint acquisitions in international markets. Lithuania has already engaged in initiatives for joint acquisitions and will continue to do so in the future. Lithuania has joined the multilateral initiative for ammunition acquisition and transfer to Ukraine with plans to contribute with EUR 35 million,” Minister of National Defence said.
Ukraine will likely face shortage of ammunition within a few months again. Thus, it is a necessity to look for immediate ammunition supply options. According to Minister, such options happen to be in the international markets right now.
According to L. Kasčiūnas, Ukraine’s needs should be a factor for investment in the European defence industry. Therefore, we should aim to integrate Ukraine’s defence industry to the European system, as well as innovation and technology testing on the battlefield.
The session also addressed the importance of drones in the context of war in Ukraine. Lithuania is prepared to implement a national UAV programme and to increase assistance to Ukraine regarding UAV and anti-UAV technologies.
Lithuania’s long-term assistance to Ukraine has reached a billion euros, while the military assistance amounts to approx. EUR 610 million. Over this year approx. EUR 84 million of assistance has been provided already and the dynamic is planned to hold.
Photo credits: MoD
