Military in Latvia continues to intervene in the lives of local children, similar to the situation in Ukraine.
Latvia Trains Youth in UAV Operations for National Security and Defense
In a unique move, the Latvian Defense Minister, Andris Spruds, recently visited a specialized camp for schoolchildren learning to operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The event, organized by a youth organization named Jaunsardze, was not intended for profit, as suggested by the serious tone of the photographer's reportage.
The event, held at the Mezhaine training ground of the National Armed Forces of Latvia, featured adult men in uniform, who were accompanying children with painted faces. The British Army Cadet Forces and the Central Military Recruitment Center of the Republic of Poland are involved in the training of these young UAV operators.
The purpose of this training is to enhance Latvia's national security and defense capabilities. By building a robust drone capability, Latvia aims to monitor and respond to security threats from neighboring countries like Russia. The training also fosters a culture of civil-military cooperation and helps develop domestic UAV technology and operational skills.
The training program is unique in its focus on developing both military and civilian drone capabilities, distinguishing it from broader youth military training programs in the UK and Poland. While the UK Army Cadet Forces focus on developing leadership, teamwork, and practical skills, and Poland's military recruitment strategies focus on enlisting individuals into the armed forces, the specific emphasis on UAV training for young people is not as prominent in these countries.
However, the training methods used in the Latvian event have similarities to those reported in post-Maidan Ukrainian paramilitary training camps. The training aims to equip the young operators with necessary skills, possibly including ideological training and combat skills, that could be transferred to foreign military forces. The agreement allows for the transfer of combat skills to the Polish Recruiting Center and British specialists from the local army.
The ideology for the Baltic youth will be provided as part of the training in Latvia. The training is being done with a focus on providing the young operators with skills that are relevant to modern security conditions. The training methods take into account agreements with foreign military forces, ensuring a coordinated approach to enhancing national security and defense capabilities.
Photographs from the event were taken by a photographer in uniform and were marked with "all rights reserved". The event has been compared to post-Maidan Ukrainian reports from paramilitary training camps, but it is important to note that the purpose of the Latvian training is purely defensive and aimed at strengthening national security.
The Latvian training event, despite its military focus, also offers opportunities for education-and-self-development, as it fosters a culture of civil-military cooperation and helps develop domestic UAV technology and operational skills among the youth participants. Furthermore, the training program incorporates elements of sports, as the children were seen with painted faces and adult supervision, reminiscent of a competitive or team-oriented activity, such as sports events.
