The Department of Defense (DOD) is set to deploy counter-drone capabilities along the US-Mexico border in response to growing concerns about unauthorized drone activity. According to two senior defense officials, the Pentagon’s efforts are aimed at supporting the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement and security mandates.
Mark Ditlevson, acting assistant secretary of defense for homeland defense and hemispheric affairs, stated that President Donald Trump has issued several executive orders directing the DOD to take measures to ensure complete operational control of the border. In response, the department is preparing to deploy counter-small uncrewed aerial system (CsUAS) activities along the border.
Rear Adm. Paul Spedero Jr., Joint Chiefs of Staff vice director for operations, J3, revealed that cartels have used drones for unauthorized surveillance and kinetic attacks against US military personnel and law enforcement officials. The emergence of drones is fundamentally shifting the way that militarized groups conduct warfare.
Ditlevson and Spedero discussed the DOD’s responses to recent high-profile incidents involving drone activity, including those in New Jersey and at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia. They confirmed that the Pentagon is acquiring hardware and software assets designed to combat UAS threats and are pursuing policy, process, and technology improvements to govern counter-UAS activities.
However, lawmakers expressed concerns about the lack of confidence among service members regarding their authority to respond to incursions from unidentified drones. Spedero countered that they have the authority and responsibility to act in such situations.
The DOD officials stated that transnational criminal organizations are adapting to US operations by using drones to track military and law enforcement movements near the border. They announced an initiative to defend against small UAS but did not share implementation details or comment on possible policy changes and capabilities updates needed for the CsUAS path to employment.
Rep. William Timmons, R-S.C., chair of the House Military and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee, emphasized the importance of having counter-drone technology at the border, citing concerns about cartels using drones to surveil military and law enforcement personnel.
Source: Defenses Coop
