The government of Lithuania has reaffirmed its support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia by sending a new batch of military equipment to Kyiv.
The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence announced on Monday that it has transferred unmanned aerial vehicles, thermal imaging equipment and telescopic loaders to the Ukrainian armed forces.
“We cannot slow down the assistance to Ukraine because Ukraine’s security concerns are our security concerns,” commented Dovilė Šakalienė, the defense minister of Lithuania. She also noted that Vilnius has removed bureaucratic obstacles to expedite the arrival of aid to Kyiv.
Continued Support for Ukraine
Lithuania has been supporting Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022, providing approximately $780 million in aid over the past three years. In the coming months, it will continue to offer military assistance that addresses Ukraine’s most urgent needs, including ammunition, drones, and anti-UAV technologies. Furthermore, Lithuania plans to invest in the Ukrainian defense industry to enhance local weapons production.
Additionally, Vilnius will keep contributing to various coalitions, including the Capability Coalition for Demining, which Lithuania co-leads with Iceland.
Strengthening Lithuania’s Military Might
Alongside its support for Ukraine, Lithuania has been actively strengthening its own military capabilities.
In December 2024, Šakalienė finalized the purchase o German Leopard 2 tanks, with the first batch expected to arrive in 2029.
More recently, the Defence Ministry has signed contracts with L3Harris Technologies and the U.S. government to acquire uncrewed aerial systems and radios.