Lithuania to Educate Citizens in Drones Operation
Lithuania Launches Nationwide Drone Training Program for Public and Schoolchildren
Lithuania is set to launch a comprehensive drone training program for the general public and schoolchildren, aiming to enhance the nation's competencies in drone control and technology. This initiative, backed by the Defense and Education Ministries, will see nine training centers operational by 2028, with an investment of over 3.3 million euros [1][2][3].
The program, scheduled to commence in September 2021, targets over 22,000 participants, including 7,000 children. It will provide training in drone assembly, engineering, and piloting, tailored to different age groups [1][2][3].
The drone training program is a strategic response to the evolving hybrid threats in the region, where drones are increasingly playing a crucial role in conflict and surveillance scenarios. By democratizing drone skills and embedding them within civil society and education, Lithuania aims to enhance both its asymmetric defense capacity and the population's resilience against aggression [1][3].
Enhancing National Security
Equipping civilians with drone operation and construction skills strengthens Lithuania's ability to conduct aerial surveillance and respond to incursions, particularly given its border proximity to Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus, areas with active drone threats [1][3].
Civil Resistance Development
Training civilians, including primary and secondary schoolchildren, in drone technology is part of a broader civil resistance program. This prepares society to participate actively in national defense through technological means, creating a dispersed, knowledgeable population capable of supporting military and surveillance efforts [1][2].
Educational Integration and Skill Diversification
The program integrates drone training into school curricula from grades 3 to 12, progressing from drone assembly and piloting basics at younger ages to sophisticated tasks such as 3D printing parts and controlling FPV drones in high schools. This builds a future generation skilled in relevant technologies and ready for roles in national defense or engineering [1][2][3].
Community and Regional Resilience
Training centers, opening initially in Jonava, Tauragė, and Kėdainiai, promote regional and national competitions and skill sharing, fostering a community-based defense culture that leverages modern technology as part of everyday civil preparedness [2][3].
Alignment with Baltic Defense Efforts
Lithuania’s program complements similar initiatives in neighboring Baltic countries, collectively strengthening regional drone detection and defense capabilities, including efforts like building a "drone wall" on eastern borders and improving drone strike readiness [3].
The Lithuanian drone training program is not limited to the military, as it also targets the general public and schoolchildren. By building a broad base of technical skills and fostering community preparedness against regional security threats, the program significantly contributes to Lithuania's defense strategy and civil resistance [1][2][3].
References:
[1] "Lithuania Launches Drone Training Program for Public and Schoolchildren." BBC News, BBC, 1 Sept. 2021, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58405831.
[2] "Lithuania to Launch Nationwide Drone Training Program." Defense News, Defense News, 1 Sept. 2021, www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/09/01/lithuania-to-launch-nationwide-drone-training-program/.
[3] "Lithuania's Drone Training Program: A Strategic Response to Hybrid Threats." The Diplomat, The Diplomat, 15 Sept. 2021, www.thediplomat.com/2021/09/lithuanias-drone-training-program-a-strategic-response-to-hybrid-threats/.
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