Civic Initiative Turns Old Phones into Drone Detectors as Lithuania Focuses on Air Defense
A new civic initiative in Lithuania encourages residents to convert unused Android smartphones into acoustic drone detectors to enhance the country's ability to detect low-flying unmanned aircraft.
As Lithuania steps up preparations for potential aerial threats, a civic initiative called "Drone Radar" is urging residents to turn old Android smartphones into acoustic drone detectors. The project aims to supplement existing warning systems by creating a network of sensors that can identify the sound of approaching drones.
Project creator Audrius Zujus emphasized that early warning systems alone are insufficient and should be complemented with additional tools for faster threat identification. "We allow people to connect old, unused Android phones and, for the first time in the world, create an acoustic radar of this kind," Zujus said. The devices detect drones by listening for the buzzing sound they produce.
Acoustic sensors are already widely used in Ukraine. They record sounds and compare them against a database of known audio signatures using specialized software to determine if they match drones or other flying objects. Such sensors have already been deployed along Lithuania's border, and the Defense Ministry is considering expanding the network.
Acting Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas noted that acoustic detection systems could complement existing airspace surveillance capabilities but that procuring new equipment through official channels takes time. "The procurement process is complicated," he said.
Zujus believes citizen-led initiatives can help bridge that gap by providing institutions with additional information sources. "We are not trying to replace state institutions," he said. "We are creating a tool they could use when making decisions and receiving additional warnings. But introducing such tools usually takes years, and we see that we may not have that much time."
The initiative comes amid a rise in security incidents and air raid alerts in Lithuania in recent months, prompting authorities to emphasize public preparedness. Civil protection training sessions are being held more frequently to teach residents how to recognize threats, locate shelters, and assemble emergency kits.
The Lithuanian Red Cross reports growing public interest in such training, with many participants acknowledging they had previously postponed preparing for emergencies. "I've started thinking about how to prepare an emergency bag," said teacher Rasa Bruzgelevičienė. "I've been hearing about it for quite a while, and it feels like I haven't done enough."
Authorities continue urging residents to take personal responsibility for preparedness—knowing nearby shelter locations, following official alerts, and maintaining enough essential supplies to be self-sufficient for at least several days.
