VILNIUS, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Lithuania plans to spend 500 million euros (577 million U.S. dollars) over the next decade on anti-tank mines, prioritising local manufacturers, Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT) reported on Tuesday.
Five Lithuanian companies are considering participation in a Defence Ministry tender to supply anti-tank mines.
The planned order involves tens of thousands of mines, which would translate into a multi-million-euro contract, said Vice Minister of Defence Loreta Maskalioviene.
The ministry said it is working to ease entry for local producers. Legal amendments aimed at supporting the defence industry have been submitted to parliament.
Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia officially submitted their withdrawal notices from the Ottawa Convention to the United Nations secretary-general in June. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollar) ■
