# The US military is using the southern border as a testing ground for counter-drone technology.

*aerospace · news · 2026-05-23 · Business Insider*

## Key points

- The US military is using the southern border to live-test hundreds of counter-drone systems.
- Cartel-operated drones now regularly surveil US troops and law enforcement along the Mexican border.
- Current US counter-drone tech cannot reliably protect moving patrols or defend against multiple simultaneous UAVs.
- Successful counter-drone systems tested at the border could be rapidly adopted for broader military use.

**Countries:** United States, Mexico, Iran

[Read the full story on Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/us-military-using-the-southern-border-test-counter-drone-tech-2026-5)

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