Lithuania will sign a letter of intent with the German defense industry giant Rheinmetall Business

The ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, Minister of Economy and Innovation Aušrinė Armonaitė, Minister of National Defense Laurynas Kasčiūnas and representative of Rheinmetall company Maximilianas Froch, the government announced.

The content of the protocol is not made public yet.

A. Armonaitė told journalists on Monday that Lithuania hopes to start the main works, including the construction of the factory, this year.

According to her, the 155 mm ammunition factory that Rheinmetall intends to build is not a standard investment, so project management may take longer than when Lithuania received investments at a record speed.

She also said that she might not yet comment on what exactly Lithuania’s contribution would be, but that the country should help develop the infrastructure needed for the facility, and also considered that Lithuania should itself buy part of the ammunition produced for the needs of the army.

Seven sources, most of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed to BNS that the ammunition factory is being considered to be built in Radviliškis district, near Baisogalas, on state land owned by the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences.

German defense industry giant Rheinmetall has also applied to have its plans recognized as a major investment project.

Last week, the Seimas started considering the amendments provided by the ministry, creating more favorable conditions for large Western arms and ammunition manufacturers to build their factories in Lithuania as soon as possible.