Mexico establishes domestic drone production plant

President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico has established a production plant for its own unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). The facility is operated by the Mexican Navy (Secretaría de Marina) in coordination with scientific research institutions and the armed forces.

The drones are designed for various strategic purposes, including meteorological observation, territorial surveillance, border patrolling, and security tasks. Recent developments include the prototype ‘Quetzal’, a vehicle with up to six hours of autonomy and a 50-kilometer range.

This initiative aims to strengthen technological sovereignty, reduce reliance on expensive foreign military imports, and ensure immediate access to spare parts. The manufacturing process integrates digital modeling, carbon fiber fuselage production, and autonomous flight software. The project involves collaboration between the Navy, the Ministry of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation, and other public research entities.