By Marius Jokūbaitis, LRT RADIO, LRT.lt.

Lithuanian arms and ammunition manufacturers are urging the government to order more locally produced weapons, arguing that excessive bureaucracy and a preference for Western suppliers are stifling the country’s defence industry.

Domestic producers say that while Lithuania increasingly tests its homegrown weapons in Ukraine, the government remains focused on attracting large foreign defence companies to build production facilities in the country.

Calls to cut red tape

Local defence companies have asked the government to commit to purchasing a share of its equipment from Lithuanian producers and to lift restrictions that limit exports.

Robertas Juodka, a board member of the Defence and Security Industry Association, told the parliament’s Economic Committee last week that Lithuanian drone manufacturers are unable to sell combat drones to the British army because of regulations banning the export of drones equipped with explosives made by another company.

“It’s absurd,” Juodka said. “Selling drones to Britain is considered ‘terrorist arming’ or ‘terrorist financing’. Italians, Estonians and others can do it – but we can’t. Why?”

Read more LRT.LT