Preparing civilians in Lithuania for drone operations along the NATO eastern frontier
Lithuania is set to launch a new drone training program this fall, aiming to bolster its national defense and civil preparedness. The initiative, jointly run by the Ministries of Defense and Education, is part of a broader strategy to strengthen Lithuania's defense capabilities.
With a budget of €3.3 million, the program seeks to educate thousands of civilians and schoolchildren on drone technology. The plan is to establish nine drone training centers by 2028, with the first three opening in September 2025 in Jonava, Tauragė, and Kėdainiai.
The scope of the program includes tailored training for different age groups. Primary school students will focus on assembling and piloting basic drones, while junior high school students will learn introductory programming and pilot first-person view (FPV) drones indoors. High school students will design and 3D-print drone components, pilot advanced FPV drones, and participate in competitions. Adults will receive training under the auspices of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union and the Non-Formal Education Agency to develop drone control and engineering skills.
This initiative aligns closely with Lithuania's defense strategy by enhancing civil resistance capabilities amid rising regional threats from Russia and Belarus. Lithuania, a NATO member bordering Russia’s Kaliningrad and Belarus, has faced incursions and aerial surveillance challenges from suspected Russian drones. The program is intended to build national security resilience by empowering civilians with drone expertise that has proven critical in Ukraine's defense against Russia.
The program also supports broader Baltic security efforts, including border drone detection and creating “drone walls” along eastern frontiers. In addition, it is worth noting that Ukraine heavily relies on drones in its defense against Russian forces.
In summary, the purpose of Lithuania’s drone training program is to bolster national defense and civil preparedness through education on drone technology, with a scope covering thousands of civilians and children, driven by a €3.3 million investment and integrated into Lithuania’s strategic response to regional security threats. The program aims to bolster civilian resistance in Lithuania, and it is open to different age groups in the country.
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