Lithuania: Northrop Grumman may open ammunition production line

Lithuania’s Ministry of Defence is negotiating with the US defence corporation, Northrop Grumman, on opening an ammunition factory in Lithuania, Defence Minister Laurynas Kasciunas announced, BNS reports. The factory would produce 30mm ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles. Kasciunas suggested that Lithuania’s state-owned ammunition manufacturer, Giraites Ginkluotes Gamykla, could house the new production line.

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Baltic: Defence spending relative to GDP among highest in NATO: report

Defence spending as a percentage of GDP in the Baltic States is among the highest in NATO, according to the Tallinn-based International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS), LSM reports. The study shows that Estonia’s overall defence expenditure amounts to 3.43% of GDP, which is third-highest in NATO after Poland (4.12%) and the US (3.72%)….

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Lithuania: Government backs withdrawal from Convention on Cluster Munitions

The Lithuanian government has approved a draft resolution to withdraw from the Convention on Cluster Munitions, allowing to acquire, stockpile, and use these weapons, BNS reports. The proposal from the Defence Ministry follows the US decision to supply cluster munitions to Ukraine and is based on the argument that these munitions are highly effective for…

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Latvia: US ambassador concerned about fight against corruption

The US ambassador to Latvia, Christopher Robinson, expressed concern about the potential for backsliding in Latvia’s fight against corruption, Baltic News Network reported. Speaking in an interview with TVNET, Robinson specifically highlighted Aivars Lembergs, the sanctioned former mayor of Ventspils, as a symbol of the dangers of returning to oligarchic influence. He said that the…

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Baltic: Parliamentary speakers visit Canada, US

The speakers of the parliaments of the three Baltic States visited Canada and the US to discuss regional security issues and cooperation, BNS reported. They met with with the speaker of Canada’s House of Commons, Greg Fergus, and members of the Canada-Nordic-Baltic Parliamentary Friendship Group. In the US, the Baltic speakers met with the speaker…

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Lithuania: Ukraine may move drone production to Lithuania: minister

Ukraine may move part of its drone production to Lithuania, Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis announced, BNS reports. Speaking during a visit to Kyiv, Landsbergis said that one option would be to set up joint drone production in Lithuania. Earlier, the Lithuanian Armed Forces (LGP) announced plans to acquire reconnaissance drones within three years, BNS reported….

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Lithuania: ECHR grants damages to Saudi held at secret CIA prison

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has awarded EUR 100,000 in compensation to Saudi Arabian national Mustafa Al-Hawsawi for his unlawful detention at a secret CIA prison in Lithuania in 2005-2006, BNS reports. The court found that Lithuania was responsible for violating Al-Hawsawi’s rights. Lithuania will comply with the ECHR ruling and pay the…

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