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Ukraine and Lithuania Sign Drone Deal to Localize Drone Production

The pact channels Ukraine's wartime know-how into Baltic factories to accelerate drone output.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Polish President Karol Nawrocki, Romanian President Nicusor Dan and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pose with other European leaders for a picture at the B9 summit in Bucharest, Romania, May 13, 2026. Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. ROMANIA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN ROMANIA
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attends the B9 summit in Bucharest, Romania, May 13, 2026. Inquam Photos/Octav Ganea via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. ROMANIA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN ROMANIA
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Overview

  • Ukraine and Lithuania signed the agreement Wednesday in Bucharest during the Bucharest Nine and Nordic summit, setting a framework for defense-industry work that includes air and missile defense and a Ukrainian expert team based in Lithuania.
  • The deal foresees rapid localization in Lithuania of long-range strike, naval, interceptor and bomber drones, with joint manufacturing and technology transfer between Ukrainian and Lithuanian firms.
  • Leaders from 14 eastern-flank and Nordic allies issued a joint statement at the same gathering that called for faster strengthening of NATO air and missile defenses after repeated Russian drone airspace breaches.
  • Lithuania said its military aid to Ukraine has passed €1 billion and it plans an additional €224 million this year, while urging EU legal and licensing changes to speed technology transfer and joint production.
  • Officials pointed to near-term milestones, including an EU €90 billion support package expected to start disbursing in June and the NATO summit in Ankara in July, as key moments to scale production and bolster regional air defense.