The event’s programme opened with a discussion featuring the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda. The conversation was moderated by Andrea Palasciano, Bloomberg’s European security correspondent. The President discussed the changing European security environment and Lithuania’s commitment to strengthening transatlantic defence ties.
Three significant Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were also signed at the event, confirming the growing cooperation between the US and Lithuania: between the Pennsylvania National Guard and the Innovation Agency Lithuania; the Pennsylvania Drone Association and the Lithuanian Defence and Security Industry Association; and the US company The Safariland Group and the Lithuanian company KOVO Armor.
Expert Discussions
Expert panel discussions provided deeper insights into defence investment and transatlantic security.
“Changes in Strengthening Transatlantic Security”
Participants included Kęstutis Budrys, Lithuania’s Minister of Foreign Affairs; Major General John R. Pippy, Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania National Guard; and Simas Rutkauskas, CEO of Teltonika EMS. The discussion was moderated by Philip Berkowitz, a board member of the Baltic American Chamber of Commerce.
“Turning Defence Investment into Business Opportunities”
Speakers included Loreta Maskaliovienė, Lithuania’s Vice-Minister of National Defence; Mindaugas Keizeris, CEO of EPSO-G; Karin Rodgers, Director of International Government Relations at Northrop Grumman; and Ethan Thornton, CEO of MACH Industries. The discussion was moderated by Vijay Sekhara from Resilience Media.
Networking Session
Following the discussions, a lively networking session was held, during which participants could engage directly with more than ten Lithuanian companies operating in the fields of specialised drones, advanced lasers, IT solutions, and other defence technologies. The event was hosted by Nathaniel Lucek, a partner at Hodgson Russ LLP.
Lithuania’s Defence Commitments
As a NATO member, Lithuania plans to allocate more than 5% of its GDP to defence starting from 2026 – the highest per-capita defence spending in the entire Alliance. Global defence companies, including Northrop Grumman and Rheinmetall, are implementing activities in Lithuania, thereby creating strong opportunities for effective US partnership and investment.
Sponsors and Partners
The event was held with the support of sponsors. Key sponsors: Norton Rose Fulbright US, the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation, and Lockheed Martin; partners: Littler, Glimstedt, and Safariland; sponsor: PKF O’Connor Davies. The Chamber of Commerce also thanked the Consulate General of Lithuania in New York, the Embassy of Lithuania in the USA, and the American-Lithuanian Business Council (ALBC) for their invaluable assistance in organising the event.
About BACC
The Baltic American Chamber of Commerce, based in New York, aims to promote and strengthen business ties between the United States and the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). The event perfectly reflects this mission – connecting governments and businesses for meaningful cooperation.
