The US and Mexico Announce a New Collaboration to

According to a joint statement released by the US Department of Defense and Mexico's Secretariat of National Defense (SEDENA), the two countries have announced a new collaborative strategy to combat drones used by criminal organizations. This operation, dubbed High Eagle (Águila Alta in Spanish), builds on recent tests of anti-drone technologies carried out along the border between the two countries.

Groundwork has analyzed the implications of this new partnership, which aims to strengthen efforts against organized crime, especially human and drug trafficking. The operation is a significant development in the fight against drone-based illicit activities, and its success will depend on the effective deployment of anti-drone technologies.

The first phase of the strategy took place between August 31 and September 2 along the border between San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico. In this phase, both military forces from the US and Mexico tracked commercial drones used by criminal entities. In the second phase, which began on September 7 and will continue through September 21, the agencies neutralized the unmanned aerial vehicles with support from fixed and mobile anti-drone systems.

The information released by SEDENA does not specify the kind of technology involved in the mission. However, US Northern Command has suggested that the operation might employ high-energy lasers, which can detect, track, illuminate, damage, or destroy drones from a distance. Groundwork notes that high-energy lasers have been a topic of interest in the development of anti-drone technologies, and their potential use in this operation is a significant development.

The US Army has invested in a particular laser system known as the Locust platform, which is designed for mounting on military vehicles. Authorities have had this technology at their disposal since September of last year, when the company that produces the system, AeroVironment, delivered the first two functional prototypes to the Armed Forces. While it has not been confirmed that these systems are being used in Operation High Eagle, the Mexican authorities have increased access to these modern weapons.

Representatives from both countries have stated that the aim of this new operation and recent agreements is to strengthen efforts against organized crime, especially human and drug trafficking. Earlier this month, the US Northern Command announced it had disabled or destroyed approximately 300 drones linked to criminal activity this year, a third of which were taken down in August. Within recent weeks, 11 of the targets were involved with cartels.

The operation stems from the US-Mexico Bilateral Implementation Group. According to SEDENA, it aims to ensure security on both sides of the border, while respecting the national sovereignty of both nations and