Mexico and US launch “High Eagle” anti-drone operation along border
Defense agencies from Mexico and the US announced a joint plan to counter drones used by criminal organizations. The effort, called High Eagle (Águila Alta), follows recent anti-drone tests along the San Diego-Tijuana border.
Two-phase operation timing and scope
The first phase ran between August 31 and September 2, with both militaries tracking commercial drones simultaneously from their respective territories. The second phase began September 7 and is scheduled to continue through September 21, when the agencies moved to neutralize the drones using fixed and mobile anti-drone systems.
Technology details remain unspecified
Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA) did not specify what anti-drone technology will be used. The US Northern Command has suggested the operation could include high-energy lasers, which can detect, track, illuminate, damage, or destroy drones from a distance.
US Locust laser system and access agreements
The US Army has invested in a laser system known as the Locust platform, designed for mounting on military vehicles. AeroVironment delivered the first two functional prototypes to the Armed Forces in September of last year. The article does not confirm that Locust or those laser systems are being used in High Eagle, though it says Mexican authorities have increased access to advanced anti-drone weapons.
Last month, SEDENA and the US Department of Defense signed an agreement allowing the Mexican military to access the US Army’s digital marketplace to acquire anti-drone systems at competitive prices.
Reported drone disruption and cartel focus
US Northern Command said it disabled or destroyed approximately 300 drones linked to criminal activity this year, with a third taken down in August. It also reported that 11 of the targets involved cartels in recent weeks. The operation stems from the US-Mexico Bilateral Implementation Group.
Why it matters
High Eagle combines cross-border tracking with planned neutralization, supported by new procurement pathways for Mexico. With drone use tied to human and drug trafficking, the initiative aims to reduce airborne threats while operating within stated limits on sovereignty and national interests.