Minister Theo Francken launches drone cadet programme within Defence

Defence Minister Theo Francken is launching an innovative initiative aimed at young people: drone cadets. Starting next summer, youths will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with drone technology and operations. “By involving young people in these technological developments, we’re investing in the future of our defence capabilities,” says Minister Francken.

Drones are now a crucial part of modern warfare, a fact that was once again made clear during Minister Francken’s visit to the Riga Drone Summit this Friday. There, he underlined the strategic role drones play in military operations: “As Ukrainian soldiers put it plainly: no drones, no operations. So it’s not just about producing more drones—we also need to become better at using them.”

It was in Riga that Minister Francken announced Belgium is joining the Drone Coalition for Ukraine and that a drone cadet programme will be set up within Defence. From next summer onwards, young people will be able to intern and gain practical experience with drone technology and applications.

A valuable skillset

At the Riga Summit, Minister Francken saw firsthand how Latvian army cadets are introduced to drone use in an accessible and engaging way. “Drones aren’t just used by the military. Police, fire services, and various companies rely on them too. So these young people are gaining a valuable skill while also getting to know the world of Defence,” the minister added.

Drone hackathon and youth engagement

Minister Francken also pointed to earlier initiatives aimed at involving young people in Defence, such as the Navy Drone Race and the drone hackathon. During the hackathon, sixty participants were divided into around fifteen teams, each contributing their specific expertise to develop innovative solutions. The focus areas included protecting underwater infrastructure, implementing anti-drone measures, enhancing the resilience of the logistics chain, and improving recruitment in the maritime sector. “These initiatives prove that we have a solid foundation to build on,” Minister Francken concluded. “By bringing young people into these technological advancements, we’re investing in the future of our Defence.”