Mexican Air Force Deploys T-6C Texan II Aircraft in Fight Against Organized Crime

The Mexican Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Mexicana) has increasingly employed its T-6C Texan II trainer aircraft in internal security missions, equipping them with infrared sensors, digital cockpit displays, real‑time communication links and light armament pods for surveillance, reconnaissance and close‑air support.

The aircraft were used in the January 2023 operation in Culiacán, Sinaloa, to help retake the city during the attempted capture of cartel leader Ovidio Guzmán López, and again in February 2026 in Tapalpa, Jalisco, where they supported ground forces against a high‑priority organized‑crime target.

Analysts note the shift toward using the T‑6C for combat roles and argue that Mexico may need a dedicated attack platform, such as the AT‑6 Wolverine, especially after the deactivation of PC‑7 attack squadrons. With more than 70 T‑6C aircraft in service across the Air Force and Navy, the platform is seen as a low‑cost, versatile option for future internal‑security operations.