U.S. Military Downs About 100 Suspected Drug Cartel Drones at Border in August
The US military shot down approximately 100 drones suspected of being operated by drug cartels along the southern border during August alone, according to a senior War Department official.
The disclosure provides a rare look at the scale of the growing drone threat along the US-Mexico border. American forces are using a range of counter-drone systems, including advanced laser technology, to prevent cartel-linked aircraft from entering US airspace or threatening border personnel.
Task Force–Southern Border carried out the interceptions using specialized equipment supplied and integrated by other military units. Each operation was coordinated with Mexican military and border authorities to avoid accidental clashes between forces operating on opposite sides of the border.
The Pentagon says it is not relying on a single system but on several counter-drone technologies working together. The military has increasingly expanded its role at the border as part of President Donald Trump’s campaign against drug cartels and illegal trafficking.
US military took down approximately 100 suspected cartel drones at southern border in August
Story by Michael Sinkewicz, Bill Melugin
EXCLUSIVE — The U.S. military provided rare insight into its operations at the southern border Thursday, revealing that it took down “approximately 100” suspected cartel drones in August alone, a senior War Department official confirmed to Fox News.
The disclosure marks the first time the Pentagon has revealed how frequently counter-drone technology, including sophisticated laser systems, is being used at the southern border to stop suspected cartel drones from entering the U.S.
According to a senior War Department official, Task Force–Southern Border carried out the drone takedowns using specialized counter-drone equipment provided and integrated by other military units.
Each operation was planned and closely coordinated with the Mexican military and border authorities to prevent interference or unintended conflicts between forces operating on either side of the border, the official said.
Army Sgt. Drew Scheffer, assigned to Joint Task Force Southern Border, provides surveillance over the southern border near Santa Teresa, N.M. on April 12. The military has been patrolling the southern border as part of the Trump administration crackdown on illegal migration. Fox News© Department of Defense
The operations are part of a broader effort to rapidly deploy defenses against drones, combining multiple technologies with trained personnel and updated military authorities. The official emphasized that the military is not relying on a single “silver bullet” system to counter the threat.
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