Lithuania will ease conditions for purchasing weapons for Ukraine

6 November, 2024 Ammunition for small arms. Illustrative image Lithuania will ease the conditions to purchase weapons by public administration entities for the needs of Ukraine.

To this end, the Cabinet of Ministers of Lithuania has decided to submit amendments to the relevant law to the Seimas, Delfi reports. If the amendments to the law on arms and ammunition control are adopted, Lithuanian public administration entities will be able to organize the purchase of category A weapons, arms accessories, and ammunition for Ukraine. The amendments to the law are intended for the Central Project Management Agency (CPMA), which facilitates the implementation of joint EU support projects for Ukraine and conducts public procurement procedures.

The reasoning behind this is that, according to the current procedure, the activities of an intermediary, in this case, the CPMA, are prohibited for category A weapons.

Small arms cartridges from Lithuania for Ukraine, November 2023. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Lithuania

This means that the implementer of support projects is not allowed to act as an intermediary in the sale and purchase of category A weapons and loses any opportunity to implement part of joint EU projects and other projects intended for Ukraine. The Lithuanian Ministry of Interior, which prepared the relevant amendments, also argues that the changes will create conditions for Lithuanian institutions to become more competitive in the international market.

And also compete with institutions in other EU countries for the implementation of similar support projects. Ukraine and Lithuania recently signed an agreement on cooperation in the development of the defense industry in both countries. In particular, this concerns ammunition production facilities.

Production of 155mm artillery ammunition at the facilities of the Swedish company Nammo, February 2024.

Photo: Dagens Nyheter

The two countries also agreed to cooperate in the production of unmanned systems and components, electronic warfare equipment, and other technological solutions.

In addition, they will jointly develop advanced solutions to ensure technological superiority, conduct joint research projects, and jointly develop advanced technologies in the defense industry.

Lithuania also undertakes to ensure Ukraine's priority right to purchase defense products, components, and materials.