Irish Army pilots join first EU-wide drone warfare training exercise in Latvia

Irish Army pilots have taken part in the first EU-wide training course focused on "realistic battlefield" scenarios involving advanced drone attacks.

The week-long event in Latvia allowed Defence Forces personnel to work alongside military colleagues from other member states on drone tactics and operational techniques.

It comes as the Defence Forces have also been conducting separate anti-drone exercises in Ireland in preparation for the country assuming the EU Presidency on July 1.

The battlefield exercise in Latvia was organised by the European Defence Agency (EDA) and the Latvian Armed Forces.

“First-person view (FPV) drone pilots from 14 EU Member States trained together from 31 May to 5 June in the first EU-wide course on advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS) strike and interception operations,” an EDA statement said.

“The exercise is a major step towards a European military drone training programme.”

The course was held at the Selonia military area in Latvia and focused on a range of advanced training scenarios, allowing participants “to prepare for realistic battlefield situations”.

João Caetano, EDA project officer for UAS Programmes, said: “Countries recognise that drone piloting and operations should be a core military skill, similar to firearm training, and included in basic military instruction.

“It is essential that UAS operators from EU Member States train together on common tactics, techniques and procedures.”

The EDA said the Selonia area is the largest military training ground in the Baltics and that trainees operated under field conditions simulating realistic operational environments.

They carried out exercises against static and moving targets, including engagements in trenches and forests, and against mechanised manned and unmanned platforms such as unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs).

In addition, they practised intercepting fixed-wing drones that mimic Russian one-way attack drones and carried out long-range operations over distances of several dozen kilometres.

The training also included night operations and the use of thermal imaging systems.

"In this training area, we can conduct a wide range of exercises that are almost impossible in some other EU countries due to high population density and busy airspace,” said Major Modris Kairišs, head of Latvian Autonomous Systems Competence Centre.

“Latvia offers a unique opportunity to develop and expand this kind of test range. This is also why we have a lot of UAV producers in the country whose equipment can be used.”

Instructors from the Latvian Autonomous Systems Competence Centre designed the exercises to require trainees to complete joint missions and encourage collaboration.

“Training with operators from other EU countries is very important,” said a trainee from the Irish Armed Forces. “We share different experiences and build further cooperation. It’s also important to train in field conditions to properly learn how to operate the equipment.”

In parallel with the training, Latvia hosted the EDA’s UAS Operational Users’ Symposium and Working Group.

The event brought together more than 40 military experts, industry representatives and partner nations to discuss the design of a new EDA project that would deliver advanced UAS training courses across Europe.

The initiative builds on lessons learned from Ukraine and aims to expand the one-off training course into a long-term European programme and network for military drone operations.

Separately, in Ireland, the Defence Forces published a video of the Air Corps No 3 Operations Wing conducting counter-drone exercises in preparation for the EU Presidency.

An official DF social media post said: “The exercise included counter drone engagements, with Air Corps helicopter crews successfully engaging multiple remotely controlled aircraft, as well as armed maritime interception training against fast moving vessels at sea.” 

It added: “Training such as this ensures Air Corps crews remain ready to respond to evolving security challenges and provide critical aviation capabilities in support of national security and Ireland’s EU Presidency commitments.”