The government has allocated 1.5 million euros to purchase 100 quadcopter drones – unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) powered by four rotors – for the Riflemen’s Union.
The government approved the funding on Wednesday for developing the state-sponsored paramilitary organisation’s UAV capability.
Linas Idzelis, commander of the Riflemen’s Union, has told BNS that the funds will go to the Defence Materiel Agency, which should procure more than 100 reconnaissance multifunctional quadcopters based on the technical specifications drawn up by the organisation.
“Once this equipment is delivered to the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, we plan to equip drone operators in combat units and those assigned to commandant’s offices,” Idzelis said.
“After personnel training, you should see the multifunctional quadcopters at exercises organised by the Riflemen’s Union and the Lithuanian Armed Forces,” he added.
The funding for the Riflemen’s Union is part of a plan unveiled by the Defence Ministry.
The plan, entitled the Lithuanian UAV Ecosystem, also calls for launching drone operator courses at the Military Academy in September, setting up a registry of drone operators, promoting local manufacturers, and organising drone pilots’ clubs.
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