GERMAN-BALTIC
DEFENCE INDUSTRY
CONFERENCE
United for Security: Strengthening Defence
through German-Baltic
Business Cooperation
28 November 2024
Vilnius, Lithuania
About the German-Baltic Defence Industry Conference
In response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the arms industry and security policies have become a central focus for Western nations, especially for the Baltic states, which have long prioritized their security due to their proximity to Russia. Germany has also reinforced its commitment to European security through initiatives like the Zeitenwende strategy and has clearly stated its readiness to stand on the side of its Baltic partners. Key developments in this collaboration include the deployment of a German brigade in Lithuania, the establishment of a Rheinmetall military equipment factory in Lithuania, and the recent expansion of Helsing Estonia OÜ, an AI defense company.
The conference, organized by the German-Baltic Chamber of Commerce (AHK), aims to explore how these recent developments can serve as a foundation for deeper cooperation between Germany and the Baltic states. While Baltic companies stand out for their innovative and practical developments, which are directly influenced by the experiences of the war in Ukraine, German arms companies are characterized by their industrial mass production and scalability.
Panel discussions will therefore focus on how the strengths of both regions' defense industries can be combined, particularly in armaments projects and other sectors like technology, energy, logistics, and cybersecurity. Additionally, the event will examine the infrastructure required to support the German brigade in Lithuania and how local businesses can contribute to these efforts. Another focus lies in the military drone revolution. The war in Ukraine has clearly shown that a sufficient supply of drones is essential for every modern army. Ensuring therefore an industrial production base, has to be a key priority for the western defence industry, and German-Baltic cooperation has great potential specifically in this field.
The conference will provide a platform for participants to identify next steps toward enhancing German-Baltic cooperation in both defense and economic sectors. By fostering dialogue on shared challenges and opportunities, the event will contribute to building a more integrated and sustainable partnership between the two regions, ensuring long-term security and economic resilience. Let us bring the German Baltic cooperation in the field of defense industry on a new level.
Meet our Speakers
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Program
Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva Conference Center, Hall Beta, Konstitucijos pr. 20, Vilnius, Lithuania
28 November 2024
09:00-17:00
09:00-09:30
Event Check-In, coffee & snacks
09:30-09:35
Introduction by the moderator Florian Schröder, CEO, German-Baltic Chamber of Commerce (AHK) (DE)
09:35-09:45
Welcoming speech by Monika Koroliovienė, Vice-minister of National Defence of Lithuania (LT) (TBC)
09:45-09:50
Greeting by H.E. Dr. Cornelius Zimmermann, Ambassador of Germany to Lithuania (DE)
09:50-10:10
Keynote by Dr. Hans Christoph Atzpodien, Managing Director of the Federal Association of the German Security and Defence Industry (BDSV) (DE):
How has the German defence industry evolved since February 24, 2022, and what does its future hold?
10:10-11:00
Panel discussion I: In what capacity can the Baltic arms industry contribute to the broader framework of European arms production?
Moderator:
Florian Schröder, CEO of the German-Baltic Chamber of Commerce (AHK) (DE)
Panelists:
Dr. Hans Christoph Atzpodien, Managing Director of the Federal Association of the German Security and Defence Industry (BDSV) (DE)
Vincas Jurgutis, Senior Advisor at the Lithuanian Defence and Security Industries Association (LGSPA) (LT)
Taavi Veskimägi, Chairman of the Council of the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association (EE)
Dr. Artis Pabriks, Chairman of the Board at the Association for Military Industry, Drones and Robotics, MilTech Latvia (LV)
11:00-11:25
Coffee Break
11:25-11:45
Keynote by Lynn Scheinman, Global Defence Expert at SAP (DE):
Defense 4.0: The criticality of Interoperability and Digital Agility to allied operations
11:45-12:30
Panel discussion II: What key innovations emerging from the Ukraine war are likely to shape the future of warfare?
Moderator:
Dr. Sigutė Stankevičiūtė, Head of ManuFuture Lab at Innovation Agency Lithuania (LT)
Panelists:
Sven Kruck, Managing Director of Quantum-Systems (DE)
Lynn Scheinman, Global Defence Expert at SAP (DE)
Jaanus Tamm, CEO of the Defsecintel Solutions (EE)
Gediminas Guoba, CEO at Granta Autonomy (LT)
Kadi Silde, Director of European Engagement at Helsing (DE)
12:30-13:30
Lunch break
13:30-13:45
Orientation Briefing on German Brigade by Col. André Hastenrath, Deputy Commander Initial Staff, Panzerbrigade 45 (DE)
13:45-14:00
Keynote by Jonas Cederlöf, Policy Officer, Defence Industry and Space at the European Commission (EU)
14:00-14:45
Panel discussion III: How can hybrid threats be averted through effective cyber security?
Moderator:
Sigita Jurkynaitė, Information Security Manager at Nord Security (LT)
Panelists:
Andrius Januta, Cyber Security Expert at Nord Security (LT)
Lukas Vytautas Dagilis, Technical Product Manager at NRD Cyber Security (LT)
Liudas Ališauskas, Director of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) (LT)
Artūrs Filatovs, Head of Cyber Security Services at Latvia State Radio and Television Center (LV)
Inga Sūnelaitienė, Cyber Security and Information Technology Policy Group Leader, Ministry of National Defence of Lithuania (LT)
14:45-15:30
Panel discussion IV: Cross-Sector Collaboration in Defense and Security: Case Studies and Insights
Moderator:
Evaldas Dūdonis, Partner at Sorainen (LT)
Panelists:
Daugirdas Kuzma, Chief Business Development Officer at EKSMA Optics (LT)
Mats Warstedt, Senior Vice President at Patria Group (SE)
COL (R) Romualdas Petkevičius, Director of the Defence industries policy and innovations department,
Defence Material Agency Ministry of Defence, Lithuania (LT)
15:30-16:00
Coffee Break
16:00-17:00
Breakout Rooms (happening simultaneously)
1. Drone Warfare:
Room: Eta
Moderator: Tomas Milašauskas, CEO, RSI Europe (LT)
Ernestas Žvaigždinas, co-founder, BROSWARM (LT)
Clemens-Vincent Blume, Head of Sales and Marketing, Morpheus Logistik (DE)
Glen Kelp, CEO & Co-Founder, GaltTec (EE)
Sven Kruck, Managing Director, Quantum-Systems (DE)
Oskars Simanis, CEO, TEMESO (LV)
2. Cooperation in Ammunition and Military Equipment Production and Logistics:
Room: Tau
Moderator: Tomas Garuolis, Director of the Department of Business Environment and Economy, Lithuanian Confederation of Industrialists (LPK) (LT)
Sebastian Dietz, CEO, Lithuania Defense Services (LDS) (DE)
Aivaras Kašuba, Managing Director, Lithuania Defense Services (LDS) (LT)
Martin R. Reischer, Director of Business Development, Dynamit Nobel Defence (DE)
Evaldas Dūdonis, Partner, Sorainen (LT)
Ingrīda Ķirse, Board Member, State Defence Corporation LLC (LV)
3. German Brigade in Lithuania:
Room: Epsilon
Moderator: Florian Schröder, CEO, German-Baltic Chamber of Commerce (AHK) (DE)
Mindaugas Statulevičius, President, Lithuanian Real Estate Development Association (LNTPA) (LT)
Col. André Hastenrath, Bundeswehr (DE)
Guido Wolf, CSO, Releven (DE)
Kęstutis Kasakaitis, Country Sales Manager, SAP (LT)
Simonas Skukauskas, Partner, Sorainen (LT)
Marija Katrīna Dambe, Scientific partner of Latvian Wood Construction Cluster, Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences (LV)
Partners & Sponsors
Book a room directly at the conference venue, the Radisson Blu Hotel Lietuva using the AHK Promo Link
