Lithuania to open drone pilot school with instructors trained in Ukraine

According to LRT, the school will train personnel from specialized institutions like the armed forces, police, and the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union, as well as companies and individuals. The focus will be on teaching how to operate drones using first-person view (FPV) technology.

Training at the new school in Vilnius is set to begin in September this year, with plans to expand throughout Lithuania in the future.

“The school will employ instructors who have gained their expertise in Ukraine. It will work closely with the renowned Ukrainian military educational institution Boryviter, ensuring high-quality training and an up-to-date curriculum,” the press release states.

Giedrė Gudonytė, the school's director, noted that the training programs are tailored to meet the specific needs of each target group.

“Civilians will learn not only how to fly drones but also how to configure them and select the right components. For specialized institutions, we will offer programs tailored to current challenges, drawing on the experience gained from the war in Ukraine,” Gudonytė said.

The duration of the training will vary depending on the chosen program, ranging from 60 to 120 hours.

Gudonytė noted that the curriculum will provide comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge, covering drone control, video systems, radio communications, and drone configuration and assembly.

Additionally, the training will utilize the latest equipment, including electronic warfare technology used in actual combat operations in Ukraine. The school’s instructors have received and will continue to receive advanced training in Ukraine to ensure that the instruction remains aligned with the current realities of the war.

• Lithuania has recorded a decrease in Russian ground troops due to the successful actions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Russia's Kursk region.