Lithuania’s Minister Confirms No Plans to Buy airBaltic Shares and Other Defense Initiatives

Lithuania Will Not Buy Shares in airBaltic

Lithuania’s incoming transport minister, Eugenijus Sabutis, announced on November 28 that the country will not purchase shares in Latvia’s national airline, airBaltic. The outgoing transport minister, Marius Skuodis, had stated earlier in January that Lithuania was considering buying a stake in the airline. At that time, he mentioned ongoing discussions regarding the potential deal, including the possibility of basing some airBaltic aircraft in Lithuania. In November, airBaltic postponed its initial public offering (IPO), originally set for this year, to 2025, aiming to raise approximately 300 million euros.

Rheinmetall to Build Ammunition Factory by 2026

German defense company Rheinmetall plans to establish a 155mm artillery ammunition factory in the Radviliškis district of Lithuania, with operations expected to begin in mid-2026. On November 29, representatives from the Lithuanian government and Rheinmetall signed a lease agreement for the factory site and a contract for the acquisition of 155mm ammunition. Lithuania’s acting defense minister, Laurynas Kasčiūnas, stated that Lithuania will purchase 155mm ammunition from this factory, suitable for the German PzH 2000 and French Caesar self-propelled howitzers used by the Lithuanian army. Rheinmetall will invest over 180 million euros in this facility, creating at least 150 new jobs.

Lithuania and the US to Enhance Cyber Defense Cooperation

Lithuania and the United States have agreed to strengthen military cooperation in cyber defense by establishing the Lithuanian Cyber Defense Command (LTCYBERCOM). This initiative, announced on November 28, will focus on joint cyber operations and threat analysis. This step is part of a bilateral cyber security and defense cooperation plan for 2025-2029, which includes enhancing military cyber capabilities, increasing public and critical infrastructure resilience, and conducting joint exercises with the US and other allies.

New Fraud Prevention Center to Combat Online Scams

Lithuania is set to establish a round-the-clock fraud prevention center to fight online and phone fraud, according to police commissioner Arūnas Paulauskas on November 28. The center’s start date has not been specified but is expected soon. Before its launch, the police will coordinate with the Bank of Lithuania, the Communications Regulatory Authority, and the National Cyber Security Center to develop effective strategies to block fraudulent bank transfers and websites. Paulauskas stated that this center would enhance the chances of recovering money for victims. Reports indicate that electronic fraud constitutes at least 70% of all fraud cases in the country.

Lithuania Backs Polish Initiative for Baltic Sea Police Mission

Acting defense minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas supported Poland’s proposal to create special forces for the protection of Baltic Sea infrastructure. This initiative was presented by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a meeting with Baltic and Nordic leaders, citing the need for new tools to address regional security threats. This proposal follows the recent damage to two undersea telecommunication cables in the Baltic Sea, with suspicions of sabotage involving a vessel flying the Chinese flag.

Lithuania Allocates 5 Million Euros for Solar Power Stations in Ukraine

The Lithuanian government has approved a support program for Ukraine’s energy sector, allocating five million euros for the installation of solar panel power stations. This was announced by Rasa Kairiene, head of the Foreign Ministry’s Development Cooperation Department, on November 27. The ministry noted that Ukraine’s energy production capacity has declined significantly since the onset of the Russian invasion in February 2022. Lithuania’s total support for Ukraine will reach 1.45 billion euros by the end of the year.

Black Boxes from DHL Plane Crash Sent to Germany

Black boxes from a DHL cargo plane that crashed near Vilnius on November 25 have been sent to Germany for analysis, reported Laurynas Naujokaitis from the Ministry of Justice’s Transport Accident Investigation Division on November 27. The plane crashed into a house containing 13 people, all of whom escaped unharmed. The cause of the crash remains unclear, with sabotage or terrorism not ruled out.

Lithuania Considers Building Small Nuclear Reactors

Lithuania’s energy minister Daiņus Kreivys announced on November 26 that the country may need five small nuclear reactors by 2040. This announcement followed a cooperation agreement with the US regarding advanced nuclear technology. Kreivys stated that these reactors would ensure competitive energy prices for consumers. The US will share its expertise in developing next-generation nuclear energy and assess the business model for small fourth-generation reactors.

Defense Budget Increase Expected in 2025

Lithuania’s new government and parliament plan to raise the borrowing limit for defense in next year’s budget. Rimantas Šadžius, a candidate for finance minister, noted this on November 25. President Gitans Nausėda has pushed for defense spending to reach at least 3.5% of GDP next year. While Šadžius acknowledged the goal is challenging without additional revenue sources, he emphasized the importance of sustainable resources for debt repayment. Currently, Lithuania allocates approximately 2.5 billion euros or about 3.2% of GDP for defense.