Sweden tests mobile towers to spot small drones

Sweden is testing whether equipment already above towns and roads could help track a threat that is difficult to see and cheap to deploy.

The trial uses radio signals from mobile masts that bounce off a drone in the air, according to Sveriges Radio. The reflected signal is then analysed to locate the aircraft.

Tens of thousands of masts could eventually become part of Sweden's defence against drones. That would reuse infrastructure spread across the country instead of relying only on separate detection systems.

The need has grown as small drones have become a security concern around military sites and critical infrastructure. Sveriges Radio pointed to sabotage attempts in Germany and military drones reported over the Baltic states and Finland.

The key test result was the level of accuracy. The system located very small drones in the air with precision of just a few metres.

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