28 Aug 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : The US military used a high-energy laser system to shoot down three drones linked to Mexican drug cartels near the US-Mexico border this week, marking a significant deployment of directed-energy technology in counter-drone operations.
Three Drones Downed in Southern Texas
The operation took place late Tuesday and early Wednesday in the Rio Grande Valley of southern Texas, according to US officials.
Personnel with the Joint Task Force–Southern Border used the Army Multipurpose High Energy Laser (AMP-HEL) system to engage and destroy three unmanned aircraft.
Military Calls Drones a Physical Threat
US Northern Command said the drones were classified as hostile because they were being used in support of activities that posed a physical threat to US military personnel and Customs and Border Protection partners.
Officials said cartel networks are increasingly using drones for surveillance and to support illicit human-smuggling operations.
Exact Location Not Disclosed
The military has not released the precise location where the drones were brought down.
It also has not clarified whether the engagements occurred over US or Mexican territory. Officials said the operation was coordinated with partners but declined to provide further details for operational-security reasons.
Mexico Sovereignty Question
The uncertainty over the location is significant because Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has previously said that unilateral US military action on Mexican soil would constitute a serious violation of Mexico’s sovereignty.
The latest operation therefore comes amid close scrutiny of US-Mexico cooperation on border security and counter-cartel activities.
Cartels Increasingly Use Drones
US security officials have raised concerns about the growing use of unmanned aircraft by Mexican cartels.
The drones are reportedly used mainly for surveillance, monitoring personnel and trafficking routes, and in some cases for dropping drugs or other illicit goods. Cartels have also used drones to carry explosives in attacks inside Mexico.
Directed-Energy Technology Takes Centre Stage
The AMP-HEL represents a growing US military effort to use directed-energy weapons against drones.
Unlike conventional missiles or ammunition, a high-energy laser can engage aerial targets using a beam of concentrated energy, potentially offering a lower-cost option for dealing with repeated drone threats.