The U.S. military intercepted approximately 100 drones suspected of being operated by cartels along the southern border in August, a senior Department of Defense official confirmed to Fox News. This marks the first time the Pentagon has disclosed the frequency of counter-drone operations at the border.
Task Force–Southern Border employed specialized counter-drone equipment, including sophisticated laser systems, for these operations. Each mission was meticulously planned and coordinated with Mexican military and border authorities to ensure deconfliction and prevent conflicts between forces operating on either side of the border, according to the official.
The military is utilizing a multi-technology approach to defend against drone threats, combining various systems with trained personnel and updated authorities. Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson stated that the U.S. is employing defensive counter-drone technology to protect personnel and border security operations from cartel-linked threats.
These efforts are part of a broader initiative to rapidly deploy defenses against drones. The source indicated that the military is not reliant on a single system to counter the threat.
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The disclosure comes amid the Trump administration's continued use of military force against cartels. An administration official previously stated that the president directed the Department of War to execute a plan to use direct military force to defend the homeland, citing spectacular effects and the steepest reduction in U.S. casualties inflicted by cartels in American history.