Samples reached Sweden and France as field tests proceed with Baltic forces. Mass production could start soon amid foreign partnerships and heavy investment.

The Lithuanian factory Giraitė has begun producing anti-drone cartridges; trial batches have already been shipped to Sweden and France.

In its statements, the company, based in Kaunas County and specializing in small-caliber ammunition, notes that the cartridge concept was developed last year using Ukraine’s experience. Prototypes were tested in laboratories and at a range; last week the Lithuanian Armed Forces conducted the first field tests of these cartridges.

The cartridges are designed to protect individual soldiers from drones and are compatible with standard NATO firearms of calibers 5.56 mm and 7.62 mm, with an effective range of 50 to 100 meters. The cost of one cartridge is about two euros, and the magazine holds about 30 rounds.

Production plan and investments

The plant plans to manufacture approximately five million cartridges per year, which will amount to about one-tenth of the total production and will bring in around 10 million euros in revenue.

The company is also upgrading its facilities and preparing to build a second production line with investments of about 26 million euros, while also establishing cooperation with the American defense company Northrop Grumman and the Norwegian NAMMO in the production of medium-caliber ammunition.

International cooperation and potential markets

According to the plant director Mindaugas Kurauskas, mass production can begin immediately. Interest has been expressed by the Czech Republic, Estonia, Belgium, and Israel; orders and industrial-scale production launches are expected in the near future. Negotiations are also underway with the Danish defense industry regarding the use of anti-drone cartridges in drone defense systems.

Latvia’s Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs noted that Ukrainian experts will arrive in the Baltic states to bolster counter-drone capabilities and strengthen airspace control in the region.

Thus, the launch of anti-drone cartridge production at Giraitė demonstrates progress in Lithuania’s defense industry and strengthens regional initiatives to counter drones.

The Giraitė factory is introducing new, innovative products and expanding production

– Kristupas Vaičiėnas