U.S. military says it shot down about 100 suspected cartel drones in August
The U.S. military shot down about 100 suspected cartel-linked drones along the southern border in August, a senior Defense Department official told Fox News on Thursday.
The official said Task Force–Southern Border carried out the takedowns using specialized counter-drone equipment provided and integrated by other military units. The official said the operations involved counter-drone technology, including sophisticated laser systems, and were planned and closely coordinated with the Mexican military and border authorities to avoid interference or unintended conflicts.
Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson told Fox News, “The United States is employing defensive counter-drone technology to protect our personnel and border security operations from cartel-linked drone threats.” He added, “These actions are closely coordinated with Mexican military and border authorities to ensure safety and deconfliction on both sides of the border.”
The official told Fox News the actions 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 the military is not relying on a single “silver bullet” system to counter the threat.
The disclosure comes as the Trump administration continues to use military force against cartels across the Western Hemisphere, including lethal strikes against alleged drug traffickers, the report said. Senior administration officials, during a press call cited by Fox News, praised President Donald Trump’s use of military force. “So, the president directed, the Department of War executed, the first ever plan and strategy to use direct military force to defend the homeland from this threat,” one official said. “The effects have been spectacular, and we’ve seen the largest and steepest reduction in U.S. casualties inflicted by the cartels in American history,” the official added. Fox News Digital’s Alex Nitzberg contributed to this report.
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