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Lithuanian Ammunition Factory Launches Anti-Drone Rounds for European Markets

Lithuanian Ammunition Factory Launches Anti-Drone Rounds for European Markets

From Delfi · () Lithuanian

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Giraitės Ginkluotės Gamykla, the sole ammunition manufacturer in the Baltics, has begun producing anti-drone ammunition.
  • The factory aims to produce approximately 5 million rounds annually, with initial batches already delivered to France and Sweden.
  • The cost per round is about 2 euros, with projected annual sales of 10 million euros, and the new ammunition is designed for short-range drone neutralization.

Giraitės Ginkluotės Gamykla, Lithuania's sole ammunition producer based in Kaunas, has launched the production of anti-drone ammunition, aiming for an annual output of around 5 million rounds.

I really hope that the Lithuanian army will not get stuck in public procurement traps and will be one of the first to order these cartridges for soldier training and reserve expansion.

— Mindaugas KurauskasExpressing hope for Lithuanian army procurement of the new anti-drone ammunition.

The factory's director, Mindaugas Kurauskas, announced that the first trial batches have already been supplied to clients in France and Sweden. Military structures in the Czech Republic, Belgium, Israel, and the United Kingdom are also expected to place orders. Kurauskas expressed hope that the Lithuanian army would be among the first to procure these rounds for training and reserve reinforcement, emphasizing the strategic importance of domestic production.

With each round priced at approximately 2 euros, the factory anticipates annual sales of 10 million euros from this new product line, which is expected to constitute about 10% of the company's total turnover. Kurauskas highlighted that the cost for a soldier's survival is around 60 euros, implying the cost-effectiveness of such defensive measures.

The soldier's survival question is about 60 euros.

— Mindaugas KurauskasHighlighting the cost-effectiveness of defensive measures.

The new anti-drone ammunition is designed for short-range drone neutralization, enhancing security for armies, border control, and strategic sites. It is compatible with standard NATO 5.56 mm (effective up to 50 meters) and 7.62 mm (effective up to 100 meters) caliber weapons. The factory developed this ammunition in collaboration with Latvian partners. This initiative follows recent investments in new machinery for bullet production and quality control systems, positioning Giraitės Ginkluotės Gamykla to significantly bolster the defense industry.

There is a lot of money in the defense industry... both Lithuania is spending record funds on defense, and other countries are too, so all companies that produce products can take advantage of that.

— Kristupas VaitiekūnasCommenting on the financial opportunities within the defense industry.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.