On April 16, 2024, the Prime Minister of Lithuania Ingrid Šimonite signed a memorandum of understanding with the German defense giant Rheinmetall, in within the framework of which the construction of a plant for the production of artillery ammunition is planned in Lithuania.
Shimoniti reported this on the social network X.
“Today we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rheinmetall, which laid the foundation for the construction of an artillery ammunition plant and our long-term cooperation. It is time for us, democratic countries, to strengthen our arsenal, which is necessary for the protection of freedom,” she wrote.
As reported by the BBC, the decision to build the plant became possible thanks to the efforts of the Lithuanian government, which initiated a number of legislative amendments at the beginning of April this year.
The new amendments simplify the procedure for opening defense production plants of large Western companies.
Investors who are ready to invest in defense industry facilities will be granted the status of strategic partners, which will allow them to start construction without obtaining prior permission. The final permit will need to be issued before the construction is completed.