The US Army used a laser weapon to shoot down three drones near the US-Mexico border, according to a report from EL PAÍS. The incident took place in US territory, as confirmed by the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) in a statement cited by the Mexican government.
EL PAÍS reports that the drones were intercepted by the US military's Northern Command. The downed aircraft were not operated by drug cartels, according to UnoTV, which cited Mexican defense officials. Instead, the drones were reportedly being used to surveil law enforcement and other authorities operating along the border, as detailed by El Economista.
The Mexican Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) provided additional context on the incident, according to El Financiero. Sedena's explanation clarified the nature of the drone activity and the circumstances surrounding the US military's response. The Mexican government's official statement, published on Gob MX, confirmed that the drones were disabled by the US Northern Command within North American territory.
The use of a laser system to disable the drones marks a notable application of directed-energy weapons in a border security context. While the specific type of laser system was not identified in the reports, the interception highlights the growing role of counter-drone technology in military operations along the southern US border.
The incident raises questions about the frequency of unauthorized drone flights near the border and the rules of engagement for US forces responding to them. Further details on the drones' origin and the duration of their surveillance activity have not yet been released.
