On June 11 representatives of business, academia and defence sectors from Lithuania and abroad discussed defence technology potentially changing the dynamic on the battlefield, analysis and strategies, technology integration in daily military routine at the Defence Technology Conference “TechBatt: Technology on the Battlefield” in Vilnius.
“The war ranging in Ukraine reminds us on a daily basis about the importance of the ever-changing role advanced defence solutions on the battlefield. Cutting-edge technology not only means breakthrough and supremacy, they improve resource-efficiency and, most importantly, save lives,” said Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas in the keynote address.
Minister also welcomed to the conference a Ukrainian delegation headed by Deputy Minister of Defence for Digital Development, Digital Transformations, and Digitization Kateryna Chernohorenko. “Your competence in technology and warfare and our cooperation with the Allies play an important role in the creation of a more secure Europe,” said Minister of National Defence L. Kasčiūnas. According to Minister, at present it is important to learn from the war lessons in Ukraine, adapt and supply the forces with innovative technological products, accelerate scientific research and innovation, design new technology to adapt to the ever-changing security environment.
“We are deeply grateful to Lithuania and all our partners for your relentless military, political and humanitarian assistance. We understand that Russia is strengthening its capabilities, therefore we need to turn to the latest most cutting-edge technology new technologies and look for new technological solutions for our armed forces. We need to improve our digital solutions and digitalize our systems to enhance the mobility of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, because only cutting-edge technological advantage can help us outdo the adversary,” said Deputy Minister of Defence for Digital Development, Digital Transformations, and Digitization.
Vice Minister at the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation Erika Kuročkina underscored at the Conference that there were over 80 companies in the sector of security defence creating advanced and globally competitive solutions: from drones to laser technologies. “We are working to have as many such companies in Lithuania as possible, we are simplifying requirements for innovation companies acting in the field, namely, procedures for large defence industry projects, and we continue investing in defence industry development. We also encourage investors from NATO member states to choose Lithuania for their defence solutions development,” she said.
The Conference in Vilnius is attended by over 200 policy makers, defence industry leaders, innovation experts and scientists worldwide. Military experts from NATO, European Defence agency, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, and Poland, as well as scientists from other countries, also, representatives of Europe’s largest defence industry companies, like Thales, WB Electronics, ST Engineering, and SAAB shared expertise on cutting-edge defence technology.
The Defence Technology Conference “TechBatt: Technology on the Battlefield“ was organized by the Ministry of National Defence and the Defense Materiel Agency under the MoD. The inaugural event facilitated discussions on an innovative approach to defence technology development.
Photo credits: MoD/Karolis Kavolėlis
https://www.flickr.com/photos/krastoapsauga/albums/72177720317804646
