Vilnius College is set to launch Lithuania’s first academic programme dedicated exclusively to drone engineering, as interest in unmanned aerial technology surges worldwide, especially in the context of modern warfare.
Until now, drones at the college were studied as part of other engineering disciplines. But with the increasing importance of drone technology – underscored by its pivotal role in Ukraine’s defence against Russian aggression – faculty say the time has come for a specialised curriculum.
Beginning this autumn, the new program will welcome its first class of students, who will study not only flying drones, but also aquatic, ground-based, and underwater variants.
“This is a natural next step,” said Associate Professor Aurelijus Pitrėnas, the programme’s director. “Our students have already been designing and building flying and driving drones as part of interdisciplinary projects, coursework, and final theses for several years.”
Strategic relevance and industry need
Currently, only a small number of Lithuanian companies manufacture high-quality drones, many of which have been tested and deployed in Ukraine. Some Lithuanian-made drones are now used regularly by Ukrainian forces.
However, local manufacturers face major challenges – including how to resist electronic warfare, replace Chinese components, and match Ukraine’s rapid pace in drone production and battlefield innovation.
The goal of the programme is to prepare drone engineers who not only have a solid theoretical foundation but also practical skills to operate a wide range of drones, said Tadas Vipartas, a lecturer in the Department of Transport Engineering. “Students must understand the broader technological landscape – signal processing, data interpretation, and real-time decision-making in complex environments.”
War lessons driving change
Ukraine’s experience with drone warfare has reshaped global military thinking. Both Ukraine and Russia now deploy increasingly sophisticated drones – including fibre-optic-linked models – at a pace measured in weeks, not years.
Former Ukrainian military chief and current ambassador to the UK, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, recently criticised the West for falling years behind.
Lithuania’s Deputy Defence Minister Orijana Mašalė emphasised the country’s role in bridging that gap. “Lithuanian companies work closely with Ukrainian partners and understand their needs,” she said. “We purchase drones and related equipment from local manufacturers that meet those urgent requirements.”
The West’s drone dilemma
While Western militaries excel in traditional warfare, experts say they lag behind in the drone domain. US-made drones were quickly phased out of the battlefield early in the Ukraine war, replaced largely by Chinese models used by both sides.
In the West, we’re used to polished systems and formal documentation, say experts, while Ukraine and Russia deploy improvised, garage-built drones – taped together and deadly.
US Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George stressed the urgency of adapting. “We also need to make sure that we can defeat drones,” he said. “What we want to do is be one step ahead of everybody, or two steps or three steps, at all times.”
Yet, despite progress in other defence areas, the US and NATO remain cautious in fully embracing drones as a primary combat tool. Meanwhile, China has rapidly understood the strategic potential of drone swarms, using artificial intelligence to develop autonomous systems capable of overwhelming entire military formations.
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