Lithuania to Train Children in Drone Operation: The Reason? “Russian Threat”

Kokcha News Agency reports that Lithuania is launching a joint initiative by its defense and education ministries to train citizens, including children, in drone operation. The program aims to enhance the country’s civil defense capabilities in the face of potential Russian aggression.

As part of the project, elementary school students aged 8-10 will learn to build and operate simple drones, while high school students will design and produce parts for more advanced models. Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė announced that the goal is to train 15,500 adults and 7,000 children by 2028.

The first training centers will open in September in Jonava, Tauragė, and Kėdainiai, with a total of nine centers expected to be operational across the country by 2028. A budget of 3.3 million euros has been allocated for the project, which will cover the purchase of FPV (first-person view) drones, control systems, video transmission equipment, and mobile applications.

Lithuania, like its neighbors Estonia and Latvia, has been on high alert since the Russia-Ukraine war. The country has been intensively using drones for border security and accelerated its efforts in this area after two Russian-made drones from Belarus violated its airspace in July.

The training will be conducted by the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union and the country’s educational institutions.