Mr K. Vaitiekūnas: AB Giraitė Ammunition Plant is becoming an increasingly important part of NATO's supply chain
Today, the sole manufacturer of cartridges in the Baltic states AB Giraitė Ammunition Plant, starts operating two new high-tech devices – a visual inspection system and a cartridge linking device. These devices will significantly increase the company's production efficiency, quality control accuracy and allow to expand the range of manufactured products.
Minister of Finance Kristupas Vaitiekūnas, after his visit to AB Giraitė Ammunition Plant on Friday, notes that the company consistently follows the expansion financed by public investments aimed at strengthening Lithuania's defence industry, increasing its technological capacity and ensuring the reliable supply of critical products to the country's security needs.
“The development of AB Giraitė Ammunition Plant is of strategic importance to the State. Consistent public investments in the company's production and technological development increases the company's competitiveness and creates long-term value for national security and the security of supply in the entire NATO region. The Ministry, acting as an active shareholder, ensures a responsible planning of investments, their supervision and risk management in order to ensure the efficient use of public funds. Our goal is a smooth development of AB Giraitė Ammunition Plant and assured reliable supply of ammunition to the Lithuanian Armed Forces and allies”, Minister of Finance K. Vaitiekūnas says.
A U.S.-made visual inspection device was launched on Friday for the final check of cartridges. A modern visual inspection system makes it possible to check cartridges more accurately and quickly before delivering them to customers, ensures the highest quality standards, reduces the risk of human error and increases the reliability of products.
Another new device – the German manufacturer’s cartridge linking (banding) device – allows the company to expand its range of cartridges by delivering higher value-added products. The installation of this device is also of strategic importance – it allows ensuring the supply of cartridge belts from the Lithuanian manufacturer to the Lithuanian Armed Forces by strengthening national security, the reliability of supply chains and the independence of the country’s defence industry, thus reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
“We see public investments as an obligation to deliver tangible results. New devices put into operation increase our technological capacity, allow us to carry out production more efficiently and ensure that public funds are used in targeted manner, creating long-term value for Lithuania's security and defence industry”, Manager of AB Giraitė Ammunition Plant Mindaugas Kurauskas says.
The company is constantly looking for growth opportunities, exploiting the potential of existing equipment, as evidenced by the growth of production volumes and sales revenue in 2025, which amounted to EUR 28.4 million and grew by 24% as compared to 2024. Last year, the company also paid 56% more dividends - EUR 2 million to the Lithuanian budget.
AB Giraitė Ammunition Plant will continue targeted investments in modern technologies, production efficiency and upgrading of employees in order to remain a reliable partner for the State of Lithuania, military and international clients.
For more than two decades, AB Giraitė Ammunition Plant has focused on the production of the highest quality cartridges, which has gained recognition in international markets. The company not only expands production volumes, but also actively participates in international initiatives related to the development of the defence industry, its production is exported to 28 countries. The company’s strategic objective is to expand capacity, attract foreign investments, diversify production and ensure security of supply.
The shareholder of the AB Giraitė Ammunition Plant is the State of Lithuania, which owns 100% of the shares. The rights and duties of the shareholder are exercised by the Ministry of Finance, which today acts as the main financial and strategic partner of the defence industry. The Ministry of Finance is also involved in strengthening the defence industry by investing in local production capacities, developing financial instruments such as the Defence Fund, defence bonds, state guarantees, developing a defence industry holding concept that brings together strategic companies and investment flows, cooperating with global partners such as Rheinmetall, Northrop Grumman, NAMMO on technology transfer and investments.
Last updated: 21-01-2026
Related news:
S&P Global Ratings confirmed Lithuania’s credit rating
Defence bonds were distributed for EUR 80.5 million across recent issues