**Lithuania and Ukraine Join Forces to Produce Naval Drones**
In a significant move, Lithuania is considering launching the domestic production of naval drones in cooperation with Ukraine. This initiative was announced by Lithuanian Deputy Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene on May 6.
Under the proposed “1+1” model, Lithuania will fund the production of two drones. One drone will be kept for its own defense needs, while the other will be transferred to Ukraine. The country is particularly interested in Ukraine’s successful Magura-class sea drones, which have been used against Russia’s Black Sea Fleet.
**Ukraine’s Successful Naval Drones**
The Magura-class sea drones developed by Ukraine are small unmanned surface vessels that have proven effective against larger warships. They have become a key asset in Ukraine’s naval warfare and have helped keep Russia’s Black Sea Fleet pinned in port. In fact, on May 2, Ukrainian military intelligence used Magura-7 sea drones equipped with air-to-air missiles to shoot down two Russian Su-30 fighter jets near the port city of Novorossiysk.
This operation was a historic first, marking the first time in history that fighter jets have been downed by unmanned naval drones. This success has caught the attention of Lithuania, which sees great potential in closer cooperation on technologies like missile and naval drones.
**A Promising Partnership**
The proposed initiative involves shared weapons production on Lithuanian soil, with Vilnius covering the costs. Earlier this year, Lithuania allocated 20 million euros ($21 million) to purchasing weapons for Kyiv from Ukrainian producers. Sakaliene emphasized that Lithuania sees great potential in closer cooperation on technologies like missile and naval drones.
“We believe that cooperation in certain areas related to missile drones, sea drones, and other technologies is truly very promising,” she said.
**Commentary**
This partnership has the potential to be a game-changer for both countries. By working together, they can develop advanced technologies that can benefit their respective defense needs. The success of Ukraine’s Magura-class sea drones has shown that even small unmanned vessels can have a significant impact on naval warfare.
Furthermore, this cooperation sends a strong message about Lithuania’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in its efforts against Russian aggression. As the global landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this partnership develops and what benefits they can reap from each other.
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