The U.S. military offered rare details about its operations on the southern border recently, highlighting its engagement with suspected cartel drones. In August, the military reportedly brought down around 100 such drones, according to a senior War Department official.
This is the first time the Pentagon has divulged the frequency of its use of counter-drone technology, including advanced laser systems, at the southern border to counter cartel drone activity.
“Approximately 100 suspected cartel drones were taken down by Task Force–Southern Border using specialized equipment integrated by other military units,” the official stated.
Operations were meticulously planned with cooperation from the Mexican military and border authorities to avert any accidental conflicts along the border, the official explained.
Inside America’s Laser Revolution, highlights the broader initiative to deploy rapid defenses against drones, effectively blending multiple technologies with trained personnel under updated military directives.
Army Sgt. Drew Scheffer, part of Joint Task Force Southern Border, has been actively involved in surveillance tasks near Santa Teresa, New Mexico, since April. These military patrols are a component of the Trump administration’s intensified efforts to curb illegal migration. Scheffer’s contributions reflect the military’s multi-faceted approach to these operations.
The Pentagon confirmed to Fox News that protective counter-drone measures are actively being employed to bolster border security operations against threats linked to cartels.
“The United States employs defensive counter-drone technology to protect our personnel and security operations from cartel-linked drone threats,” Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson affirmed.
Coordination with the Mexican military and border officials ensures that operations are safe and conflicts are avoided on both sides of the border. Wilson reiterated the importance of this partnership for operational success.
This revelation aligns with ongoing actions by the Trump administration to utilize military capabilities against cartels throughout the Western Hemisphere, including direct military interventions against drug trafficking networks.
A senior administration official recently cited President Trump’s directive for deploying military force to defend against this pervasive threat, emphasizing the significant impact observed in reducing U.S. casualties.
“The plan and strategy for employing military force has resulted in the largest and most significant reduction in casualties inflicted by cartels in American history,” the official concluded.