Key Highlights:
Funding Announcement: Lithuanian Minister of Defense Laurinas Kaschyunas announced on social media that the government will allocate €20 million for purchasing combat and reconnaissance drones.
Government Agreement: Kaschyunas, in agreement with Minister of Finance Gintare Skyste, secured additional funds for this initiative.
Purpose of Funds: The allocated funds will be used to:
- Purchase various types of drones.
- Train instructors and operators in the use of these drones.
Adopting Ukrainian Experience: Lithuania plans to adopt Ukraine's experience in drone usage to improve its training programs for drone operators and instructors.
Integration into Armed Forces: The next step is to integrate UAV capabilities into the Lithuanian Armed Forces, aiming for a qualitative improvement in military training and operations.
Training Programs: The Armed Forces of Lithuania have already initiated their first training course for instructors on using FPV drones.
Future Plans: Within the next three years, Lithuania plans to:
- Develop the potential of reconnaissance drones.
- Purchase combat UAVs as part of its anti-tank defense strategy.
Conclusion
Lithuania's decision to allocate an additional €20 million for the purchase and training of drone capabilities signifies its commitment to enhancing military effectiveness and integrating advanced UAV technologies into its defense strategy.
