Maple Photonics and Fruitbloom Sign MOU to Build Canada–Lithuania Dual-Use Laser Partnership

Maple Photonics Inc. and Fruitbloom Canadian Resources / Ressources Canadiennes Fruitbloom Inc. today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a Canada–Lithuania joint effort to commercialize bleeding-edge Lithuanian photonics technology in Canada, with high-energy lasers for counter-drone (C-UAS) defence as the lead application. The partners will jointly own any newly developed IP across six key laser verticals.

Contemporary geopolitics illustrates the risks peaceful nations incur in an era of drone warfare. As low-cost uncrewed aerial systems proliferate, the need for affordable, scalable counter-drone defences is urgent. High-energy lasers (HELs) are the frontier — by shining one long enough on a drone's optics or chassis, intense light and heat can disrupt and even fry aerial threats, with a cost measured in dollars per drone — not thousands or millions, single-unit dollars.

"Lithuania has 60 years of experience building ultrafast lasers, beam controllers, and high-precision optics, and I spent 20 years in Vilnius as an engineer and founder helping make it happen. Partnering with Fruitbloom means building sovereign defence tools in Canada with policy, procurement, and production support to navigate Canadian markets and regulations."

— Saulius Mikalauskas, CEO of Maple Photonics (Montréal) and Beagle Optics (Lithuania)

"With last week's EU parliament vote formally allowing Canada to be the first, and only so far, non-EU country to join the Security Action for Europe capital lending pool, it is time for Canadian firms to think bigger and punch harder. Maple Photonics' relationships in Lithuania and integration engineering, combined with Canada's defence producers, will let us launch a globally competitive laser cannon platform within a year."

— Jay Gerbrandt, CEO of Fruitbloom

Senior executives of both companies will be attending Photonics North in Québec City from June 2–5, 2026 to introduce the partnership to funders, vendors, and potential collaborators.

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