Minister of the Economy and Innovation Lukas Savickas emphasises that Lithuania wants to become a regional centre for the defence and security industry.
"We want Lithuania to become a regional centre for the defence and security industry. "Vytis” will enable Lithuanian companies to develop, test and implement new technologies faster, opening the way to international markets. The initiative aims to unite all existing and emerging incentive systems for the defence industry, create a one-stop shop for this industry and reduce bureaucratic barriers for a sector that is vital for Lithuania," said the Minister.
"Vytis” will operate as a one-stop-shop platform offering comprehensive support to companies, from the implementation of ideas to export promotion.
"We will offer comprehensive support to companies: from consulting, financing opportunities and technology testing to promoting international cooperation. We will ensure that companies in the defence industry are subject to significantly shorter procedures, receive prompt consultations and are provided with funding for project implementation. We aim to create a one-stop shop for all defence industry initiatives, regardless of the size and needs of the company," said Romualda Stragienė, head of the Innovation Agency.
Today, there are almost 100 companies operating in the Lithuanian defence and security industry, and their number has grown by 18 per cent in the last three years. Lithuanian companies supply various products, services and components to the defence sector, rely on a strong research base and meet both national and international innovation priorities.
The “Vytis” initiative provides for targeted investments in all key stages of defence innovation development. A large part of the funds will be allocated to the development of defence and security technologies, the expansion of innovation support and advisory services, technology testing infrastructure, the development of innovative skills, business incubation, pre-acceleration and acceleration activities. It will also support participation in international exhibitions, business missions to strategic export markets, the development of international research and experimental development projects, and financial incentives for developers of innovative products.
The “Vytis” initiative addresses issues that have long hampered industrial growth: lack of business financing in the early stages of idea development, lack of certification and technology testing infrastructure, limited inter-institutional cooperation, gaps in innovation financing and lack of export incentives. The Vytis initiative aims to leverage Lithuania's strengths and competencies in smart specialisation to address Lithuania's strategic defence and security priorities through specific technological solutions.
By 2030, the aim is to triple the export volume of the Lithuanian defence sector, attract at least five well-known foreign defence companies and ensure that the added value of the country's defence industry exceeds €1 billion.
