EDA has conducted the first European drone pilot training in Latvia

The European Defence Agency (EDA) and the Latvian Armed Forces have conducted the first joint European training course for military drone pilots. During the period 31 May to 5 June, operators from 14 EU countries trained in advanced strike and counter-drone missions with unmanned systems at the Latvian training area of Selonia.

The training focused on first-person-view drones (FPV) and included realistic combat scenarios with both static and moving targets. Participants practised, among other things, combat in forests and trenches, operations against manned and unmanned ground platforms, and the engagement of fixed-wing drones designed to replicate Russian one-way attack drones. Night operations and the use of thermal imaging cameras were also included.

"Countries recognise that drone piloting and drone operations should be a fundamental military skill, in the same way as weapons training, and should be included in basic military education," says João Caetano, project manager for drone programmes at the EDA.

"It is crucial that drone operators from EU member states train together based on common tactics, techniques and procedures," he continues.

The exercise was held at Selonia, the largest military training area in the Baltic states. According to Latvia, the area offers particularly favourable conditions for this type of activity.

"At this training ground we can carry out a wide range of exercises that are almost impossible in some other EU countries due to high population density and intensive air traffic," says Major Modris Kairišs, head of Latvia's Centre of Excellence for Autonomous Systems.

Alongside the training course, the EDA also held its symposium and working group for military drone users. This brought together military experts, industry representatives and partner countries to discuss a future European training programme for drone operators.

According to the EDA, the aim is to build on lessons learned from Ukraine and develop the initial training effort into a permanent European network for military drone training.

"Our goal is to build up a network of training centres, a fully developed training programme, and integrate it with existing exercises such as Titan Sky," says João Caetano.