US and Mexico launch joint operation targeting crime-linked drones
Operation High Eagle will track and neutralise commercial drones allegedly linked to organised crime, but authorities have not confirmed the use of high-energy lasers.
US and Mexican defence agencies have launched a joint operation to detect, track and neutralise commercial drones allegedly linked to organised crime along their shared border.
Operation High Eagle began with a first phase from 31 August to 2 September near San Diego and Tijuana, with forces operating simultaneously from each country’s territory. A second phase, involving fixed and mobile anti-drone systems, began on 7 September and is scheduled to continue through 21 September.
The operation is linked to the US-Mexico Bilateral Implementation Group and is intended to address organised crime, including alleged human and drug trafficking activity, while respecting both countries’ sovereignty, according to officials cited by WIRED.
Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense, known as SEDENA, has not identified the technologies being used. US Northern Command has suggested that high-energy lasers could be involved, but authorities have not confirmed their deployment.
The US Army has invested in the vehicle-mounted Locust laser platform, and two prototypes were delivered to the Armed Forces last year. SEDENA and the US Department of Defense also recently agreed to give Mexico’s military access to the US Army’s digital marketplace for anti-drone systems.
US Northern Command said earlier this month that it had disabled or destroyed approximately 300 drones linked to criminal activity this year, including 11 reportedly associated with cartels in recent weeks.
