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8 clusters · 123 sources · 38 days · First seen · Last updated

Mexico-U.S. drone technology defense cooperation

Overview

Mexico and the United States have entered into a non-binding “Declaration of Intent” to expand bilateral defense cooperation, specifically focusing on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) technologies. Formalized during a visit by U.S. Army Secretary Daniel Patrick Driscoll and Mexican General Héctor Ávila Alcocer, the agreement allows Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA) to access the U.S. Army’s digital market to acquire drones and detection tools to combat organized crime.

On August 28, the security situation escalated following the first recorded operational use of an Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) to neutralize three drones linked to Mexican drug cartels in the Rio Grande Valley. Major General Curtis Taylor classified these drones as a “physical threat” to military and Customs and Border Protection personnel. Building on the “mirror” operations framework, the two nations launched ‘Águila Alta’ (Operation High Eagle) along the Tijuana-San Diego border. As of September 12, 2026, the operation is in its second phase, scheduled to continue through September 21. The mission involves approximately 800 Mexican military personnel deployed in the Mesa de Otay area, covering a five-kilometer strip that extends 500 meters on each side of the border.

Recent developments highlight the increasing use of directed-energy weapons in the Rio Grande Valley. U.S. military forces have deployed the ‘Locust’ laser system, produced by Aerovironment and mounted on Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, to combat cartel drone activity. Unlike signal jammers, this system physically disables targets by damaging components like batteries and propellers. Colonel Robert Felicio of the 130th Maneuver and Support Brigade noted the deployment represents a “significant shift in tactical capabilities.” Since the system's introduction, authorities report drone traffic in the targeted area has decreased by up to 75%, with 11 drones linked to criminal organizations disabled to date.

Entities

Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional · Mexico · Claudia Sheinbaum · United States Army · United States

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Timeline

  1. 14 days ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources
    U.S. military uses laser weapons to disable cartel drones

    U.S. military laser weapons have disabled 11 cartel-linked drones in the Rio Grande Valley, leading to a reported 75% drop in drone traffic in the area.

  2. 20 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 17 sources
    USNORTHCOM praises Mexico's binational anti-drone border operation

    USNORTHCOM praised Mexico's binational 'Operation High Eagle' to counter cartel drones used for drug and human trafficking near the Tijuana-San Diego border.

  3. 22 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 15 sources
    Mexico and U.S. launch Operation High Eagle anti-drone border mission

    Mexico and the U.S. have launched ‘Operation High Eagle,’ deploying military personnel and anti-drone technology to combat the use of commercial drones by traffickers along the Tijuana-San Diego border.

  4. 24 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    U.S. military reports 75% drop in border drone activity after laser deployment

    U.S. military officials report a 75% drop in drone incursions at the southern border following the use of a new high-energy laser weapon system to down suspected cartel-linked drones.

  5. about 1 month ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 12 sources
    U.S. military uses laser system to disable border surveillance drones

    U.S. forces used the AMP-HEL laser system to disable three commercial drones used by traffickers to monitor border authorities during 'mirror' operations along the U.S.-Mexico border.

  6. about 1 month ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 65 sources
    U.S. military uses high-energy laser to down three cartel drones

    The U.S. military used an Army high-energy laser (AMP-HEL) to shoot down three drones linked to Mexican cartels in the Rio Grande Valley, citing threats of smuggling and surveillance.

  7. about 2 months ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 33 sources
    Mexico and U.S. sign defense agreement for drone technology access

    Mexico and the U.S. signed an agreement allowing Mexico's SEDENA to access the U.S. Army's digital market to acquire drones and anti-drone technology to combat organized crime.

  8. about 2 months ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Mexico and U.S. sign agreement for drone and counter-drone technology access

    Mexico and the U.S. signed a non-binding agreement to facilitate Mexico's access to drone and counter-drone technologies to strengthen military strategic and operational capabilities.

Sources

8columnas.com.mx · acierta.mx · actualidad.rt.com · aerotime.aero · ailem.com · am.com.mx · aresdifesa.it · atgs.ch · besuchsdienst.de · britishboxingscene.co.uk · ca.sports.yahoo.com · calibre800.com · canal44.com · chalkbeat.org · closeup.mx · combonoticias.com · contramuro.com · cybermexico.mx · dailycaller.com · defence24.pl · desdeabajo.info · desdeelbalcon.com · desdepuebla.com · diario21.com.mx · diariocolatino.com · diariotijuana.info · dominicanaaldia.com · dossierpolitico.com · drvnoticias.com · dvidshub.net · elbuentono.com.mx · elclarinete.com.mx · eldiariodechihuahua.mx · elfarodelacostachica.com.mx · elfinanciero.com.mx · eltiempomx.com · elvalle.com.mx · entrelineas.com.mx · estamosaqui.mx · excelsior.com.mx · fakti.bg · focoinformativo.com · freerepublic.com · g4media.ro · gandul.ro · greenmountain.no · haberaktuel.com · hch.tv

This summary has been updated 14 times: see revision history