Prepares Lithuanian Citizens for Drone Operations Training - Citizens in Lithuania to Receive Drones Operating Instruction
Lithuania Launches Comprehensive Drone Training Program
Lithuania is taking a significant step in enhancing its defense capabilities by launching a new drone training program. The initiative, scheduled to start in September 2021, aims to equip both adults and children with the skills necessary to operate drones for surveillance, reconnaissance, and potentially defense tasks.
The joint venture between the Defense and Education Ministries is part of Lithuania's broader defense posture, which has become more active since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The program is being implemented on NATO's Eastern Flank and is intended to strengthen Lithuania's defense capabilities.
Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene announced that 15,500 adults and 7,000 children are expected to acquire drone control skills by 2028. The Defense Ministry in Vilnius is overseeing the program, and three drone training centers will be opened in Lithuania in September 2021. More than 3.3 million euros will be invested in the program.
The program is taking place in the Baltic EU and NATO country of Lithuania, a member state that borders Belarus and Russia. Lithuania views this drone training for its citizens as a strategic measure to build a pool of skilled operators who can contribute to situational awareness and civil defense, supplementing formal military resources.
This initiative aligns with regional trends in the Baltics towards advancing unmanned aerial systems capabilities in response to evolving threats. For instance, Estonia recently undertook extensive research on drone usage to improve aviation safety and defense preparedness. Although not directly cited for Lithuania, these trends suggest Baltic states are prioritizing drone technology training within a framework of national and regional security collaboration, particularly given the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the imperative to bolster EU and NATO's eastern flank.
While more precise details about Lithuania’s drone training programs and official defense strategy statements may become available in the future, the current information indicates that the program is likely designed to enhance national security capabilities and civilian readiness. This fits within Lithuania's broader defense strategy, which emphasizes cooperation with NATO and EU partners to strengthen regional security and resilience.
In addition to its potential military applications, the drone training program also serves as an educational initiative, providing opportunities for schoolchildren to learn about drone technology and control. This could inspire a new generation of Lithuanian innovators and contribute to the country's efforts to strengthen its arms industry by developing and manufacturing drones.
As the program progresses, it will be interesting to observe how Lithuania's drone training program evolves and how it may impact the broader defense landscape in the Baltics and beyond.
