Kathrine Frich
The training will start with third- and fourth-grade students aged 8 to 10.
The training will start with third- and fourth-grade students aged 8 to 10.
Lithuania to Train 22,000 People in Drone Skills by 2028
Lithuania will teach more than 22,000 people, including schoolchildren, how to build and operate drones.
The program is a joint effort between the country’s defense and education ministries.
Officials say the goal is to expand civil resistance capabilities and prepare citizens for potential future threats from Russia.
Drone Lessons Begin with Children as Young as Eight
The training will start with third- and fourth-grade students aged 8 to 10.
They will learn to construct and fly simple drones in a classroom setting.
The activities will be presented as games and experiments to make the learning process engaging for children.
High School Students to Learn Advanced Drone Building
Older students will be given more complex tasks, including designing and manufacturing drone parts.
They will also learn to build and fly FPV drones, and gain skills in programming, 3D printing, and piloting in various environments.
Lithuania on High Alert Due to Russian Threat
Lithuania, a nation of 2.8 million people, borders the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus, a close ally of Moscow.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the country has been on high alert for possible aggression.
The government has invested in new civil defense measures, including this drone program.
€3.3 Million to Be Spent on Equipment and Facilities
The government will spend €3.3 million on specialist gear such as FPV drones, control and transmission systems, and a mobile training app.
Drone training centers will open in Jonava, Tauragė, and Kėdainiai in September, with six more to follow by 2028.
Step-by-Step Learning for Different Age Groups
Lithuania’s plan includes a tiered approach: younger children will focus on basic construction and piloting, middle school students will learn programming alongside flying skills, and older students will build advanced drones.
This ensures each age group gains skills suited to their level.
Russian Drone Training for Children Draws Criticism
In Russia, training children to use drones has sparked controversy.
Reports suggest a systematic effort to involve children in designing and testing drone technology through video games.
Lithuania’s approach is framed as defensive training for national security.
