Chief of Defence of Lithuania General Raimundas Vaikšnoras attended WELT Security Summit in Germany alongside political, military, intelligence and defence industry leaders to discuss the principal European security challenges, strengthening defence and the measures of NATO deterrence.
At the formal dinner on the eve of the event, Chief of Defence delivered a keynote address alongside Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Chair of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence of the European Parliament, and Chief Executive Officer of Rheinmetall AG Armin Papperger. Other distinguished participants included Inspector General of the Bundeswehr General Carsten Breuer, President of the Federal Intelligence Service Martin Jäger, President of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, and more representatives of the European defence, technology and industry.
Addressing the development of defence capabilities, Chief of Defence underscored that the security environment and the pace of the technological advance of today calls for a yet faster decision-making and a quicker integration of new capabilities.
The discussions were significantly centered on the need for Europe to accelerate the integration of defence technology. All the participants agreed that the challenge was not the lack of technology but, rather, the speed at which it required to reach the militaries. Germany’s leadership in politics and defence industry reflects this clearly in the active search for solutions to establish shortcuts between ideas and capabilities.
“It is pleasing that we and our German partners see eye to eye regarding the current day challenges. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated that the greatest challenge Europe is facing is not a lack of innovation. Rather, it is the speed at which we roll them out. Our troops build readiness for war, however, the institutions all too often follow the logic of peacetime. If technology testing and integration takes years, we risk buying technology of yesterday and become ready for the war of yesterday, not tomorrow. Speed is a warfighting capability in modern warfare,” said Chief of Defence.
The discussions also elaborated extensively on the German leadership in strengthening the security of the eastern flank of NATO and the European defence capabilities. The participants highlighted Germany’s historical decision to station in Lithuania the 45th Armored Brigade: the first time ever Germany has deployed a combat brigade permanently outside its territory in the country’s modern history, and a clear sign of a long-term commitment to the security of Lithuania, the region and the whole Alliance. It was also noted that more defence investment, a stronger European defence industry and more European responsibility for its own security would strengthen NATO’s collective defence capabilities even more.
Lithuania and Germany are bound by a tight defence cooperation. Germany is one of Lithuania key partners in developing military capabilities: a significant part of the Lithuanian Armed Force’s’ weapons and equipment is bought from Germany, while the country invests in the defence industry of Lithuania thus further strengthening the long-term both countries’ cooperation and NATO’s collective defence capabilities.
Photo credits: Lithuanian Armed Forces
