In the Lithuanian Taurogy, just 20 kilometres from the border with the Russian Królewce, the first training program was launched with handling drones for children and adults. The task aims to increase civilian resilience in border regions and is part of Lithuania's defence strategy.
Photo: atimedia from Pixabay
Drone courses for children and adults
Classes are held in advanced school classes, where, as local media reports, students from the age of 10 years have learned to fly FPV drones, assemble quadcopters and program models with a fixed wing. "I want to learn to control the drone. It's hard but cool” – said 1 of the participants, 14-year-old Gerda Lukosaitte. In the schoolroom you can hear laughter erstwhile drones hit the level – describes Reuters.
– We don't train children for war. We give them competence and safety – says teacher Mindaugas Tamošaitis, quoted by the agency.
It is the first of the 9 training centres planned to be established along the border with Russia and Belarus. By 2028, Lithuania plans to train 22 000 people, including 7,000 children. The budget of the full task is about €3.3 million.
Lithuania increases defence spending
The programme is part of a broader state defence strategy. In May 2025, the government announced investments worth EUR 1.1 billion to strengthen the east borders, covering fresh barriers, detection systems, anti-tank mines and disruptive technologies. At the same time, Lithuania, together with Poland, Latvia and Estonia, announced its withdrawal from the Ottawa Treaty, which prohibits the usage of anti-personnel mines.
– We build our abilities to be a hedgehog for an aggressor said Deputy Minister of Defence Tomas Godliauskas in a conversation with Reuters.
Russian drones and NATO call
In fresh months the Lithuanian authorities have reported cases of airspace breach by drones passing from Belarus. In 1 of the confirmed incidents, 2 Russian drones crashed into the territory of Lithuania.
Vilnius called on NATO to strengthen its military presence in the region. The Lithuanian government announces the deployment of the German brigade in the border area, but the details have not yet been officially confirmed. German commanders declare readiness to act and support allies on the east flank.
Criticism and support for the programme
The drone school task creates a discussion. Supporters see it as a modern education and as an component of strengthening the resilience of society. Critics inform against the hazard of militarisation of the civilian sphere. The Lithuanian authorities guarantee that classes are educational in nature and that the aim is to build method competences that may prove essential in the event of a threat.
