Ukraine and Lithuania have announced the launch of an initiative called Brave Lithuania, aimed at enhancing defense technology innovations. This initiative was unveiled during the NATO-Ukraine Forum, with Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko and Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė jointly presenting the program in Vilnius.
According to Svyrydenko, Brave Lithuania will facilitate faster development and implementation of defense solutions by Ukrainian and Lithuanian developers, particularly in areas such as unmanned systems, electronic warfare, artificial intelligence, and communication technologies essential for modern battlefield scenarios.
The Ukrainian defense industry has seen significant growth, reportedly increasing its production capabilities fiftyfold since 2022, from $1 billion to $50 billion. Svyrydenko emphasized that Ukraine possesses unique expertise in developing defense technologies under the pressures of a large-scale war, and highlighted Lithuania as a key partner in security and defense.
Šimonytė reaffirmed Lithuania’s unwavering support for Ukraine, stating that Vilnius will continue to contribute to strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities. This includes initiatives in defense industry development, demining efforts, rehabilitation programs, and resilience projects.
“This meeting reaffirms the special partnership between our countries and Lithuania’s commitment to stand by Ukraine today and in the future,” said Šimonytė. “It also demonstrates Ukraine’s openness to share its experiences, which are more relevant than ever in the context of current security challenges.”
The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense announced that a memorandum of understanding has been signed with Ukraine’s defense ministry to establish the Brave Lithuania program. This initiative aims to enhance cooperation in defense innovations, promote the development of advanced technologies, and expedite their application for practical defense needs.
Brave Lithuania is designed to serve as a bilateral platform supporting startups, innovators, research institutions, and companies in the defense technology sector from both Lithuania and Ukraine. Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Lithuania has provided military, political, and humanitarian assistance to Kyiv.
The Brave Lithuania initiative, launched by Ukraine and Lithuania, aims to enhance defense technology innovations through collaboration. This program reflects the growing partnership between the two nations in addressing modern security challenges.