In a bold move to future-proof its population and bolster national security, Lithuania is set to roll out a sweeping drone training initiative in September 2025. The program, announced by the country’s Defense and Education Ministries, is designed to teach both adults and schoolchildren how to build and operate drones—a skillset that’s becoming ever more relevant in today’s rapidly changing world.
According to the Lithuanian Defense Ministry, the first phase will see three dedicated drone training centers opening their doors in the cities of Jonava, Tauragė, and Kėdainiai. But that’s just the start. Over the next three years, the network is slated to expand to a total of nine centers dotted across the Baltic nation, with additional facilities planned for Šiauliai and Panevėžys in 2026, Utena and Telšiai in 2027, and finally Klaipėda and Marijampolė in 2028. The goal? To equip more than 22,000 Lithuanians—15,500 adults and 7,000 children—with drone control and engineering skills by 2028, as Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene proudly stated in a recent press release.
“We plan for 15,500 adults and 7,000 children to acquire drone control skills by 2028,” Sakaliene said, underscoring the government’s commitment to the ambitious project. The initiative, which will cost €3.3 million (about $3.8 million), is being jointly managed by the Defense Ministry and the Education Ministry, signaling just how seriously the nation is taking the challenge of technological preparedness.
The training centers aren’t just about learning to fly drones for fun. The curriculum is carefully crafted to match the needs of different age groups, ranging from primary school pupils to upper secondary students and adults. For the youngest learners, the lessons might start with the basics—building simple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) through interactive games. Older students and adults, meanwhile, will dive into more advanced territory, designing 3D-printed drone parts and even competing in national drone contests.
Specialist equipment will be provided at each center, including indoor and outdoor first-person view (FPV) drones, control and video transmission systems, and up-to-date software. There’s even a mobile educational app in the works, ensuring that the training can continue outside the classroom or workshop, wherever inspiration strikes.
The Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, a civilian paramilitary organization with a long history in the country, will play a key role in delivering training to adults. For schoolchildren, the Lithuanian Non-formal Education Agency (LINEŠA) will step in, offering programs tailored for students from the 3rd to the 12th grade. This broad approach is designed to make drone technology accessible to as many people as possible, regardless of age or background.
But why this sudden surge in drone education? The answer lies partly in Lithuania’s geopolitical reality. With a population of 2.8 million, the country shares borders with Russia’s Kaliningrad exclave and with Belarus—two neighbors whose actions have kept Lithuanian defense planners on their toes. The ongoing war in Ukraine has only heightened these concerns, as drones have become a central feature of modern warfare. Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have relied heavily on UAVs for reconnaissance and strike missions, and the lessons from that conflict haven’t been lost on Vilnius.
Indeed, Lithuania has already taken steps to bolster its aerial surveillance and counter-drone capabilities, especially after two drones—believed to be Ukrainian—crossed into its territory from Belarus in July 2025. While the incidents did not result in any reported damage, they served as a stark reminder of the new challenges facing countries in the region. As the Defense Ministry put it, the goal of the new training program is not just to foster technological know-how, but also to "expand civil resistance training."
"The aim of the exercise is to strengthen the population’s skills in the field of drone control and technology as well as civil resistance," the ministry explained, emphasizing the dual civilian and security aspects of the initiative. This is not Lithuania’s first foray into drone education, either—the Defense Ministry has previously offered courses covering both the theory and practice of using drones, but the new program marks a significant scaling up of those efforts.
On the ground, the program’s rollout is expected to be smooth, thanks to the joint efforts of the ministries and local organizations. The €3.3 million budget will cover not only the purchase of specialist equipment but also the development of educational materials and the hiring of expert instructors. The hope is that, by 2028, Lithuania will have a broad base of citizens who are comfortable with drone technology—whether for recreational use, engineering, or even in support of national defense.
It’s a vision that resonates with many in the country, especially given the rapidly changing nature of warfare and the increasing prominence of unmanned systems in both military and civilian life. As drones become more common in everything from agriculture to logistics to emergency response, having a population that understands how to build, operate, and troubleshoot these machines could prove invaluable.
There’s also a clear educational benefit. By introducing drone technology to students from an early age, Lithuania hopes to inspire the next generation of engineers, programmers, and innovators. The inclusion of national drone contests and hands-on projects is meant to spark curiosity and foster a spirit of healthy competition—qualities that have long been associated with technological progress.
Of course, not everyone is equally enthusiastic. Some skeptics have questioned whether the investment will pay off in the long run, or whether resources might be better spent elsewhere. Others worry that the focus on drones could inadvertently encourage an arms race in the region, or lead to privacy concerns as UAVs become more widespread. Still, supporters argue that in a world where technology is advancing at breakneck speed, it’s better to be prepared than to be caught off guard.
For now, the mood in Lithuania is one of cautious optimism. As the first three centers prepare to open their doors this September, there’s a sense that the country is taking a proactive step toward safeguarding its future—both in terms of national security and technological literacy. In the words of Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene, "We plan for 15,500 adults and 7,000 children to acquire drone control skills by 2028." That’s a goal that could have far-reaching consequences, not just for Lithuania, but for the wider region as well.
With the world watching, Lithuania is betting big on drones—and on the power of education to shape the next chapter of its national story.
