Although the German concern “Rheinmetall AG” has not yet officially named where it really wants to build, the authorities of the Radviliškis district hastened to put out the sources of dissatisfaction of the residents.
The people of Baisgale, who were skeptical about the future German company, were inspired by the success of the community of the town of Darbėnai (Kretinga district) in fighting the Danish plans to build a hydrogen and methanol plant.
Therefore, politicians and officials of the Radviliškis district are already holding meetings on how to dispel the fears of concerned residents. Especially since passion will undoubtedly be fueled by pro-Russian forces.
“There is only one way – to talk to people. After receiving answers, there are fewer fears,” Radviliškis district mayor Kazimieras Račkauskis named the chosen strategy and assured that he himself does not have the slightest doubts about the benefits of the investments.
There is still a lack of clarity
Talks about possible investments of the Rheinmetall AG concern in Lithuania have been circulating for a long time.
Information that a NATO-standard 155 mm caliber artillery projectile factory could be built on state-owned land adjacent to Baisogala surfaced last week, shortly before the signing of the letter of intent.
The ministers who signed this document and the representative of Rheinmetall AG neither confirmed nor denied knowledge of the location of the future factory. However, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė admitted that one of the considered options is the plot located next to Baisogala.
No official information has reached Radviliškis district municipality either. Its managers started to check whether the news could be true through their channels.
“For now, there is a lack of clarity, but everything seems to be moving in a direction that is beneficial to us,” said Radviliškis district mayor K. Račkauskis. – The news has stirred up the community, we hope that everything will be clear soon.”
It would feel safer
K. Račkauskis, who is in charge of the municipality of Radviliškis district for the first term, said that one thing is clear – the plot of state land next to Baisogala would definitely be enough for the German concern.
The mayor said that he would feel safer if such a factory appeared in the area: “There is no doubt that it would be properly defended. So it would become really safer to live in Baisogala.”
The economic effect would be no less important – it is unofficially said that the value of the project could reach up to 300 million euros.
“This would be a significant boost for the entire district, as such investments usually shake up the local market. Employees will need accommodation, meals, and other services, so new opportunities will open up for entrepreneurs,” said K. Račkauskis, who entered politics from private business.
Radviliškis district also has highly qualified employees – during the last year, the “Lietuvos geležinkelių” company, which carried out the reorganization, dismissed a considerable number of specialists.
Dissatisfied people remain
Baisogala elder Renata Masiulienė said that the mood of the community is mixed. Some are frightened by the military object that will appear on the sidelines, others understand that it is inevitable due to the geopolitical situation, and also see new opportunities.
“I’m not sorting people out, but there is a group of sofa experts who only criticize and keep seeing threats.
I noticed that they do not participate in the life of the community – they stay away, but they do not shy away from inciting passions and inventing conspiracy theories. By the way, this is the same group of people who expressed dissatisfaction during the quarantine,” said the elder.
R. Masiulienė is waiting for the final decision – after receiving official confirmation on the location of the factory, it will be possible to start more active communication with local residents.
“It is clear to everyone that the location is suitable for this facility, because the Linkaičiai Arsenal, the Air Defense Battalion, and the Military Air Force Base are nearby,” said the elder.
Darbėni is another story
Kazimieras Danilevičius, chairman of Baisogala community, agreed that it is not appropriate to fear such a neighborhood.
A public figure who previously worked as an official noted that the importance of the mood of the population is exaggerated: “It is necessary to understand that anything can be taken for matters of national importance.”
According to K. Danilevičius, it is wrong to think that the protests of the residents who were incited by insurgent and hostile forces would be as successful as in Darbėnai.
“They were talking about a chemical factory, but the situation here is different. We have an aggressor, a German brigade that is being transferred to Lithuania for security reasons, so this is not the time to wave pitchforks, – said the chairman of the community. “There is no need to doubt that the Germans, who have invested a huge amount, will also take care of the security of their investments.”
According to K. Danilevičius, the final step is still missing in this situation: “If it is confirmed that the German concern will build a factory here, it will be possible to have a wider discussion with the people. Now you don’t even want to heat up passions.”
The message did not leave anyone indifferent
Residents interviewed in the town of Baisogalos were reluctant to communicate with the “Lietuvos ryto” journalist. Most of the passers-by refused to comment at all and only quickened their pace. Several interviewees, who wished to remain anonymous, then declared that German investment was neither needed nor expected: “Why here?” Let them build elsewhere! We want to live ecologically!”
Arūnas Puidokas was one of the few to publicly express his opinion. The man who left the pharmacy smiled broadly: “I’m all for it!” It would only benefit us, Baisogalians. Primarily for security, and would also shake up the labor market. The town is small, there is no industry, so people commute to work in Šeduva, Radviliškis, Kėdainii.”
A. Puidokas waved his hand at the skeptics – he said that it is not even worth listening to them, because there were and will be those who oppose the changes.
The institute would look for solutions
The future factory of Rheinmetall AG targeted the fields where the Institute of Animal Husbandry of the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) makes hay and prepares fodder.
In the farm established near Baisogala since 1956. the gene pool of Lithuanian livestock breeds is protected. It was here that Lithuanian white pigs, improved Lithuanian black and green cattle, and Lithuanian black-headed sheep breeds were created.
According to the original plans, 100 hectares would be enough for the ammunition factory, and the remaining area of about 250 hectares would be a buffer zone.
Violeta Juškienė, chairperson of the Council of the Science Institute of the LSMU Animal Husbandry Institute, who participated in the meeting organized by the heads of the Radviliškis district municipality, emphasized that they do not even have a moral right to object, the state’s interest is higher.
V. Juškienė repeated to “Lietuvos rytui” that scientific activities will not be disrupted, because other areas will be found for preparing fodder: “I know that our rector is taking care and looking for the best solutions.”
A scientist living in Baisogala said that she is not afraid of the neighborhood of the military industry: “Of course, there are some such fears, after all, there is already a war going on nearby. But as a local resident, I would be happy if such a strategic investor came to us.”
Fixed some glitches
There is no doubt that the construction of the German factory will start already this year. The Seimas approved a simplified construction procedure for strategic investors in the defense industry. Now such construction can be started even without a building permit.
It is true that the builders must take care of all the formalities before the end of construction.
According to specialists, a clone of the German factory will most likely be built in Lithuania. Especially since the construction of the ammunition factory in Unterlius was started in February of this year.
The newest plant of Rheinmetall AG is expected to start operating as early as 2025, and it is planned to produce 200,000 155 mm artillery shells each year.
Rheinmetall AG is building muscle
in 1889 The Rheinmetall AG concern, which was founded in 1950, now includes 218 companies producing armaments and auto parts worldwide.
Among the company’s largest shareholders are global investors French bank Societe Generale (10.97%), US investment company BlackRock (5.56%), investment bank Bank of America.
Lithuania will become the 13th country in the world where a factory owned by the concern has been established. Now there are factories in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Romania, Austria, Hungary, United Kingdom, USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia.
Rheinmetall AG is also investing in war-torn Ukraine – in March of this year, it was announced that four factories for ammunition, gunpowder, military vehicles and anti-aircraft defense equipment would be built here.
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the turnover of the group’s companies has been growing every year: in 2022 equipment and ammunition were sold for 6.41 billion euros in 2023. – for 7.17 billion. A record sales growth of up to 10 billion euros is planned this year.
The concern, which is included in the list of 40 leading German companies, earned 918 million euros last year. euro profit.
From the beginning of the war until now, the price of the shares of “Rheinmetall AG” has increased more than 5 times – up to 531.8 euros.
Tags: clear message part frightened population
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