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Minister of National Defence D. Šakalienė discussed defence industry and weaponry in Sweden

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2025-10-15
Acquisitions and infrastructure development | International cooperation | Security and defense policy

Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė met with Minister of Defence Pal Jonson in Sweden. The counterparts discussed opportunities for bilateral cooperation on defence industry, air defence and the Baltic Sea security, while also focusing significantly on support to Ukraine, defence spending and EU defence initiatives.

"I have meet with Minister of Defence of Sweden Pål Jonson in Stockholm. Lithuania and Sweden are bound together by the commitment to national and regional security, as well as the understanding that the threats are real, not theoretical. We have discussed all key aspects of defence cooperation, air to maritime defence, to defence industry, technology, cyber security, and, of course, assistance to Ukraine. Defence industry is the priority in our cooperation. We have addressed industrial cooperation and inclusion of Lithuanian companies in the supply chains of major Sweden's defence corporations. The common European goal we agree on with the Swedes as well is to accelerate weaponry production Europe-wide. We also agree that NATO needs to transition from air policing to air defence and we have shared the position of the Baltic states Lithuania initiated on the integrate air defence. We have discussed sharing recognized air picture and invited Sweden to contribute intelligence to situational awareness in the Baltic Sea. We have to monitor what is happening there from surface to seafloor," says Minister of National Defence D. Šakalienė.

Minister also discussed opportunities for industrial cooperation, the intent to attract Swedish investment to Lithuania and to include Lithuania in Sweden's supply chains during the visit. The counterparts addressed Lithuania's aim to cooperate on ammunition and explosives, drones, heavy platforms and naval drone clusters.

At the meeting, views were exchanged on the universally concerning air defence topic and the necessity to transition from air policing to air defence, as well as Operation Eastern Sentry launched in reinforcement of defence of the eastern flank.

Ministers noted the strategic importance of the Baltic Sea and the aim to tighten the cooperation on harbor protection and coastal defence. Sweden pays significant attention to the security of the Baltic Sea and actively trains in naval exercises. Lithuania is currently developing stronger harbor and coastal defence capabilities, therefore Minister D. Šakalienė invited Sweden to share expertise in the area.

D. Šakalienė and P. Jonson also discussed the need to dedicate more resources for defence, the Eastern Flank Watch proposed by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen to bolster up the EU borderline member states against full spectrum of threats, from hybrid and drone incursions to the so-called Russian Shadow Fleet and potential armed aggression, as well as the proposal of Drone Wall aiming to develop an integrated multilayer air defence system encompassing advanced drone detection, tracking, jamming and destruction technologies.

One more theme of the visit was assistance to Ukraine. The Nordic and Baltic countries are among the leaders in support to the war-torn country. Sweden significantly contributes financially to the Capability Coalition for Demining and posts instructors to Coalition activities in Lithuania. "Ukraine remains our mutual commitment. Lithuania and Sweden are among the leaders in rendering military, financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. For example, the Swedish contribution to the Lithuanian and Icelandic co-led Demining Coalition already reaches EUR 21.7 million. We are also directly contributing in different combat capability enhancement through concrete initiatives," Minister D. Šakalienė said.

A couple of weeks ago, an OP-LEGIO training facility was officially opened in Lipa Training Area in Poland. Here, the Baltic and Nordic countries and Poland will be training the new Ukrainian Brigade.