Training for adults will be provided by the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union, while children from 3rd to 12th grade will receive instruction from the Lithuanian National Agency for Non-Formal Education.

The curriculum will be tailored to different age groups, with younger students learning basic drone construction and piloting, while high school students will focus on advanced design and manufacturing.

Future training centers are set to open in various cities, including Šiauliai and Panevėžys in 2026, Utena and Telšiai in 2027, and Klaipėda and Marijampolė in 2028.

Lithuania's efforts to bolster its domestic drone production and training are driven by concerns of becoming a target for Russia, similar to its Baltic neighbors, Estonia and Latvia.

The training programs will engage students in hands-on activities, fostering skills in drone operation and engineering, which are vital for the country's defense strategy.

As a NATO member with a population of approximately 2.8 million, Lithuania is focused on strengthening its defense capabilities amid rising security threats from neighboring countries.

Overall, this initiative reflects Lithuania's proactive approach to addressing potential security threats and enhancing its national resilience through advanced drone training.

Lithuania's government has unveiled an ambitious plan to establish nine drone training centers over the next three years, aiming to equip 15,500 adults and 7,000 children with essential drone skills.

This initiative is particularly significant for enhancing national security, given Lithuania's strategic location adjacent to Russia's Kaliningrad exclave and Belarus.

The project will see an investment exceeding 3.3 million euros, which will fund specialized equipment including FPV drones, control systems, and educational software.

This initiative follows recent drone incursions from Belarus into Lithuanian territory, prompting the country to enhance its aerial surveillance and counter-drone measures.

The joint project between the Defense and Education Ministries aims to empower the next generation with the skills necessary for modern defense and civil resistance.