Another milestone in France–Lithuania defence cooperation

CCFL board member – Hugo Tortosa  shared his insights from attending the SHIELD Lab signing ceremony.

Six months after the contract signed between KNDS and the Lithuanian government for the delivery of 30 CAESAR artillery systems, NAVAL Group has launched SHIELD Lab, a new open innovation partnership with four leading Lithuanian research institutions:

• Kaunas University of Technology (KTU)
• Klaipėda University
• Baltic Institute of Advanced Technology (BPTI)
• Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC)

In the presence of  Lithuanian Vice-Minister for Education, Science and Sport Regina Valutytė, the document was signed by:

• Emmanuel Brochard, Director for International R&D Cooperation at Naval Group,
• Mindaugas Bulota (KTU)
• Laura Šaltytė-Vaisiauskė (Klaipėda University)
• Tomas Žalandauskas (Baltic Institute of Advanced Technology)
• Prof. Dr. Ramūnas Skaudžius (Center for Physical Sciences and Technology).

Key takeaways:

• Shield Lab aims to foster joint research and innovation in the maritime and naval domains.
• The initiative combines Naval Group’s industrial expertise with Lithuania’s scientific and academic ecosystem to develop solutions tailored to the country’s future naval defence needs.
• The partnership reflects Lithuania’s long-standing objective of strengthening its defence industrial base through international cooperation and open innovation.
• It also reinforces France’s industrial champions’ growing contribution to the security of Europe’s eastern flank and to the EU’s strategic sovereignty.

The agreement comes just days before the French Embassy’s Bastille Day celebration in Šiauliai, where around 100 French airmen are currently leading NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission.

Lithuanian participants highlighted the country’s ambition to further develop its maritime capabilities, viewing its coastline both as a gateway to global connection and as a key element of its national security. Shield Lab is another concrete step in translating that ambition into long-term industrial and technological cooperation.