[REVISION HISTORY]

Mexico-U.S. drone technology defense cooperation

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What changed

2026-09-13 22:41 UTC → 2026-09-19 07:45 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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. ~~The deployment utilizes mobile and semi-fixed inhibition technology capable~~ Recent developments highlight the increasing use of ~~neutralizing devices within a three-kilometer radius. Mexican Defense Secretary Ricardo Trevilla Trejo stated~~ directed-energy weapons in the ~~operation~~ 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 ~~commercial drones used~~ by ~~criminal organizations for surveillance during trafficking activities. President Claudia Sheinbaum distinguished these commercial surveillance devices from the explosive-equipped drones used in states~~ damaging components like ~~Michoacán~~ batteries and ~~Sinaloa. While~~ propellers. Colonel Robert Felicio of the ~~operation utilizes simultaneous ‘mirror’ tactics, official reports indicate~~ 130th Maneuver and Support Brigade noted the ~~Mexican side has not yet confirmed significant interceptions or~~ deployment represents a ~~detected increase~~ “significant shift in tactical capabilities.” Since the system's introduction, authorities report drone ~~usage. U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM)~~ traffic in the targeted area has ~~publicly recognized these coordinated efforts~~ decreased by up to ~~combat~~ 75%, with 11 drones ~~used for drug smuggling and human trafficking.~~ linked to criminal organizations disabled to date.

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