Lithuania will instruct its people on the handling of unmanned aerial vehicles (drones)
Lithuania Launches Comprehensive Drone Training Program for Public and Schoolchildren
Lithuania is set to launch a new drone training program aimed at equipping its citizens with practical skills in drone technology, as part of its strategy to enhance defense capabilities and civil resistance. The program, which will commence in September 2021, aims to train over 22,000 people—including 15,500 adults and 7,000 schoolchildren—by 2028.
The initiative reflects lessons from Ukraine's defense against drone-enabled aggression, with the goal of strengthening Lithuania's integrated defense posture via technology education and widespread drone competence. The program is being jointly conducted by the ministries of defense and education in Lithuania.
The program will be implemented through nine dedicated centers across the country. Initially, three centers will be opened, with plans to expand to the full complement in the future. These centers will provide training in drone operation, engineering, and construction, tailored to different age groups.
Young children will be introduced to the basics of drone assembly and piloting, while junior high students will learn programming and first-person view (FPV) drone piloting. High schoolers, on the other hand, will design and 3D-print drone parts and compete regionally and nationally. Adults will be trained under the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union and Non-Formal Education Agency, extending civil defense preparedness to the broader population.
The program is part of Lithuania's response to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russian forces, with drone development and manufacturing being a key component of its strategy to strengthen its defense capabilities and arms industry. Drones have become a central tool in modern warfare, with Russian forces using unmanned aerial vehicles on the front lines against Ukraine.
The program also aims to build civil resistance in Lithuania, with the ultimate goal of enhancing public competence in drone operation and engineering to support civil resilience. This includes supporting Lithuania's response to incursions such as suspected Russian drone flights across its borders and building drone detection and operational capabilities aligned with NATO partnerships.
More than 3.3 million euros will be invested in the drone training program, reflecting the country's commitment to this important initiative. The program is expected to play a significant role in enhancing Lithuania's national security and civil resistance capabilities amid regional threats.
In conclusion, Lithuania's new drone training program represents a significant step forward in the country's efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities and prepare its citizens for potential threats. By providing comprehensive training in drone technology, the program aims to equip Lithuania's citizens with the skills they need to contribute to their country's defense and civil resistance efforts.
[1] Lithuania Launches Drone Training Program for Public and Schoolchildren. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/07/15/lithuania-launches-drone-training-program-for-public-and-schoolchildren/
[2] Lithuania's Drone Strategy: Civilian and Military Applications. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lithuanias-drone-strategy-civilian-and-military-applications-2021-07-15/
[3] Lithuania Invests in Drone Training to Boost National Security. (2021). Retrieved from https://www.balticword.eu/en/lithuania-invests-drone-training-boost-national-security/
- This drone training program launched in Lithuania is not only for adults but also extends to schoolchildren, aiming to impart knowledge about technology in education-and-self-development and drone operation.
- As part of its strategy in general-news, Lithuania is investing in sports-like competitions for high schoolers, where they will design and 3D-print drone parts, demonstrating the integration of technology and sports.
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