Vilnius hosted the inaugural Israel-Lithuania Defense Innovation Forum “Securing the Future,” a landmark event organized by the Embassy of Israel in Lithuania together with SIBAT, the International Defense Cooperation Directorate at the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD).
The forum was attended by 15 Israeli companies from the defense industry sector, developers, and manufacturers of advanced weaponry, alongside a Lithuanian contingent of over 40 domestic manufacturers and more than 100 representatives from NATO, presidency, government, parliament, ministries, state and security agencies, defense associations.
“Israel and Lithuania share a deep history, but our focus today is on the future - on innovation, security, and economic growth. This forum is an important step in strengthening our defense industries and building lasting partnerships that will benefit both our countries,” emphasized Ambassador of Israel to Lithuania, Hadas Wittenberg Silverstein, in her opening remarks.
During the event, participants gained strategic insights into Israel's regional security challenges, its unique defense ecosystem, cutting-edge Israeli defense technologies, battlefield experiences, lessons learned from Israel’s war against terror organization Hamas, and the transformative role of artificial intelligence in defense and security. The participants were also presented with strategic threats and optional solutions, as seen by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense, as well as trends and regulations concerning defense procurement in Lithuania.
"Lithuania and Israel share common security challenges - we need to strengthen strategic cooperation, including global defence and the defence industry. It is not enough to hope for peace - we must take all necessary security measures. It is important for Lithuania to learn from Israel's experience, to adopt proven technologies and innovations that have won international acclaim," said Orijana Mašalė, Deputy Minister of National Defence.
The 15 Israeli companies that participated in the forum presented a diverse array of innovative technologies, spanning analytical tools, solutions, training, and a wide range of weaponry production capabilities.
Principal Deputy Director of SIBAT in the IMOD, Ms. Shahar Horev, stated: “This event is a testament to the strong and enduring strategic ties between Israel and Lithuania, which have been steadily growing since the establishment of our diplomatic relations. The Israeli defense industry is at the forefront of cutting-edge solutions. We are pleased to share our unique advantages with Lithuania, including the ability to integrate technological innovations from civilian high-tech to the defense sector and vice versa, the rapid pace at which we improve our systems based on lessons learned from our operational experience, and the flexibility of our industries in creating joint industrial partnerships. “
The forum fostered extensive networking of B2B and B2G meetings between Israeli defense and security companies, Lithuanian companies, and state institutions aimed at exploring and developing mutual areas of collaboration.
“The development of Lithuania’s defense industry is among the strategic priorities of the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation. In close coordination with our national and international partners, we are consistently working to strengthen this sector by mobilizing targeted investments, introducing new support instruments, and fostering an environment conducive to innovation and high-value technologies. Our goal is clear – to ensure that the Lithuanian defense ecosystem is resilient, competitive, and contributes meaningfully to both national and allied security," said Lukas Savickas, Minister of the Economy and Innovation.