Drone training in Varėna: Lithuania transfers 51.9 hectares to the Riflemen's Union LŠS

For the drone training of its paramilitary forces, Lithuania is creating a dedicated site intended for drone exercises and counter-drone systems. The land lies in the municipality of Varėna in the south-east of the country; the government in Vilnius wants to assign it to the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union (LŠS), the country's official paramilitary organisation.

As the Ministry of Defence announced in a press release, the 51.9-hectare area will serve the training of drone pilots and the build-up of capabilities in drones and counter-drone systems. According to the release, a long-range firing range of up to 800 metres and a competence centre in the field of drones are also conceivable.

The government has approved the transfer of a 51.9-hectare state-owned plot of land located in the village of Druckūnai (Varėna district) to the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union on a trust basis— Statement by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence

Infrastructure for drone training and counter-drone defence

In addition, infrastructure could be built on the site to support the development of capabilities around drones and counter-drone systems, benefiting the regions of Alytus, Marijampolė, Kaunas and Vilnius. Drones would be used there exclusively for training purposes, and noise disturbance would remain minimal.

The state remains the owner of the plot; the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union receives the right to manage and use it. The LŠS is a voluntary, state-controlled paramilitary organisation with currently almost 20,000 members.