Lithuania’s Ministry of Defense is kicking off an exciting new training program aimed at teaching everyone, including schoolchildren, how to build and fly drones.
The initiative is designed to bolster the country’s defense capabilities, with a goal of training over 22,000 participants by 2028, according to DPA.
This September, the program will launch three training centers, with plans to grow to nine centers in the years ahead. Defense Minister Dovilé Šakaliené stated, “By 2028, we aim to train 15,500 adults and 7,000 children in drone operation.”
As a NATO and EU member with a population of around 2.8 million, Lithuania shares borders with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus, a close ally of Moscow. The training will cater to various age groups, focusing on developing skills in drone technology and operation to enhance national resilience. The Ministries of Defense and Education are set to invest €3.3 million into this project.
Vilnius is eager to advance its defense industry and drone capabilities. The Ministry of Defense has previously offered courses that blend theoretical knowledge with practical drone training.
Drones have become essential in modern warfare. As highlighted by DPA, Ukraine is increasingly depending on drones for its defense against Russian forces, underscoring the strategic significance of this technology.
