Lithuania purchases drones from local manufacturers for its own army and the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas stated this, Delfi reports.

The Lithuanian Defense Resources Agency has already signed contracts with five Lithuanian companies worth €8 million.

It is reported that the order had been received by the following companies: Dangolakis, RSI Europe, Ltmiltech, Granta Autonomy and Unmanned Defense Systems.

As part of these agreements, the Lithuanian army will receive more than 2,300 FPV drones worth €3 million, and the Ukrainian Defense Forces will receive almost 5,000 drones of the same type for €5 million.

“We want to encourage the production of drones and counter unmanned aerial systems in Lithuania… The tests that took place in Ukraine and the signing of the agreements are a huge impetus and a significant step for our drone manufacturers. This procurement is undoubtedly related to the fundamental interests of national security,” Kasčiūnas said.

The drones for both Ukraine and Lithuania are purchased with all the additional tools and equipment needed to launch and control them. The price also includes operator training.

The first drones are expected to be delivered to Ukraine at the end of September this year.

All the contracted drones are to be delivered to both the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the Lithuanian Army by the end of this year.

As previously reported, on August 24, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonite announced in Kyiv that Lithuania would allocate €35 million to purchase radars and mine clearance equipment for Ukraine.

She also added that Lithuania hoped to provide Ukraine with more than 5,000 Lithuanian-made drones by the end of the fall.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has tested Lithuanian-made FPV drones in conditions as close to combat as possible. It was organized so that Ukraine could choose the products that best meet the needs of Ukrainian soldiers.