Avión presidencial TP-01 Presidente Juárez

Aunque el Boeing 757 de la Fuerza Aérea tiene relativamente poco tiempo de uso (24 años), lo cierto es que carece de alcance intercontinental, obligando a la comitiva presidencial a hacer escalas obligadas en los viajes a Europa o Asia.

Si bien es cierto que todavía no se sabe qué modelo sustituirá al 757, lo cierto es que en la Fuerza Aérea se decantan por opciones del mismo fabricante: el Boeing 777 o el Boeing 787 Dreamliner, ambos aviones de cabina doble y capacidad intercontinental.

Es importante mencionar que este tipo de adquisiciones implican un cierto desgaste político, lo que no es privativo de México. Hoy en día, las discusiones para sustituir el avión presidencial de EEUU mantienen en vilo su reemplazo, lo mismo que el caso de Brasil, donde la presidenta Dilma Rousseff busca adquirir un Boeing 747 para “mostrar el peso específico de su país en el mundo”.

Sin embargo, haciendo a un lado las discusiones en el plano político,  lo cierto es que el jefe del ejecutivo mexicano sí necesita un nuevo medio de transporte aéreo moderno y eficaz.

El TP-01 sirvió a una época que ya terminó.

En los últimos años, diversos especialistas han puesto en la mesa de debate la posible participación de México en operaciones de paz, a través de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas.

Tradicionalmente, México ha sido un país que ha evitado involucrarse en este tipo de operaciones por razones que van desde lo político hasta lo doctrinal militar.

Recientemente, tuvimos la oportunidad de entrevistar a Alfonso J. Motta Allen, Doctor en Ciencia Política y Relaciones Internacionales por la universidad de Dalhousie de Nueva Escocia, Canadá, y reconocido experto en el tema de operaciones de mantenimiento de paz de la ONU. Además, el Dr. Motta es Capitán de Corbeta retirado de la Armada de México  y piloto de helicópteros, con amplia experiencia en las áreas de seguridad nacional e inteligencia.

En 2010, el Dr. Motta publicó el libro Introducción a las Operaciones de Mantenimiento de Paz, en colaboración con el Centro de Estudios Superiores Navales, o CESNAV.

En él, el Dr. Motta acuña el término de “Operaciones de Mantenimiento de Paz Selectivas” (OMPS) que, de acuerdo con su propuesta, son la clase de operaciones de paz en las que México podría participar sin entrar en conflicto con su tradicional doctrina exterior.

Este es un extracto de la entrevista.

MXSECURITY: ¿Qué son las Operaciones de Mantenimiento de Paz Selectivas (OMPS) y cómo puede México formar parte de ellas?

Alfonso Motta (AM): Primero debo decir que México puede y debe participar, militarmente, en operaciones de mantenimiento de paz de Naciones Unidas.

En este sentido, creo que nuestro país puede involucrarse en lo que yo llamo Operaciones de Mantenimiento de Paz Selectivas, donde se cumplen funciones específicas y sólo en operaciones específicas donde las partes beligerantes han llegado a un cese al fuego y hay “una paz que mantener”.

Las OMPS son operaciones seguras y su participación es totalmente voluntaria para los Estados miembro.

El peso que nuestro país está comenzando a tener en el escenario internacional demanda de México una mayor corresponsabilidad en relación a los riesgos y amenazas que enfrenta la comunidad internacional. Este tipo de operaciones de mantenimiento de paz son una buena forma de coadyuvar con ello.

MXSECURITY:  ¿Dónde se encuentran los principales obstáculos para que México se incorpore a una Operación de Mantenimiento de la Paz? ¿En lo estratégico-político o en lo táctico-militar?

AM: existe una combinación de factores que han mantenido a México fuera de las operaciones de mantenimiento de la paz de Naciones Unidas. El primero de ellos es el desconocimiento del tema por parte de los actores que estarían involucrados, desde funcionarios de alto nivel, incluidos legisladores, hasta las propias fuerzas armadas.

En este sentido, el papel de la Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores y del Congreso sería determinante para fomentar un mayor conocimiento sobre los beneficios que este tipo de operaciones pudieran significar para nuestro país. Aunque antes de hablar de beneficios deberíamos hablar de compromisos y responsabilidad en el mantenimiento de la paz y la seguridad internacionales.

Al trasladar este casi nulo conocimiento sobre las operaciones de mantenimiento de la paz a la esfera política, se  inhibe un mayor debate sobre la materia.

Si tomamos en cuenta que la política exterior es la parte preventiva de la política de defensa nacional, necesariamente debería existir, al menos, un debate integral sobre la conveniencia de que nuestro país participe en este tipo de operaciones, ya que estas buscan restablecer y mantener la seguridad y la estabilidad internacionales.

MXSECURITY: ¿Qué capacidades deben desarrollar, las fuerzas armadas, para poder participar en este tipo de operaciones?

AM: Yo creo que además de las capacidades técnicas mínimas, se debe avanzar en el desarrollo de una doctrina de seguridad interior. ¿Por qué lo digo? Porque al no contar con tal doctrina que clarifique el uso y la modulación de la fuerza militar dentro de nuestro país, menos claridad tendremos en el uso de nuestros medios militares en este tipo de operaciones, donde no existe “un enemigo” a vencer y el uso de la fuerza sólo se justifica en defensa propia.

Por otro lado, deben ampliarse y fortalecerse las relaciones civiles-militares, ya que en nuestro país las fuerzas armadas parecen seguir un rumbo un tanto distante del medio civil, y viceversa. En este sentido, el Congreso y las instituciones académicas pudieran servir de puente de entendimiento entre ambos mundos.

Así también, una mayor participación de la mujer en las tareas militares es fundamental, sin dejar de mencionar la urgente necesidad de fortalecer mecanismos que garanticen la interoperabilidad de las tres fuerzas armadas (Ejército, Fuerza Aérea y Marina).

MXSECURITY: ¿De qué depende la participación de México en este tipo de operaciones? ¿Cómo impacta nuestra estructura de defensa en ello?

Es muy simple, cuando exista decisión política, entonces México estará listo para participar en OMPS. Las fuerzas armadas son leales, disciplinadas y profesionales y realmente no depende de ellas si van o no a estas operaciones, sino del mando civil –en este caso, del Presidente de la República con la aprobación del Senado.

Finalmente, debo decir que otro de los grandes obstáculos no sólo para este tema sino para el desarrollo en general de nuestras fuerzas armadas, tiene que ver con la estructura militar sui géneris con la que cuenta México: somos el único país del mundo con dos ministerios de defensa, sin un estado mayor conjunto y con importantes carencias en materia de planeación estratégica conjunta.

¿Cómo avanzar hacia una participación en operaciones de mantenimiento de la paz, si tenemos una estructura de defensa bicéfala? Será difícil, pero por ahí debe venir la modernización de nuestras fuerzas armadas, ya que tal participación debe darse en apoyo a una política exterior proactiva y no viceversa.

MXSECURITY: Muchas gracias Dr. Motta. Este tipo de diálogos buscan precisamente acercar a las fuerzas armadas con la sociedad, sin otra intención que, precisamente, tender puentes de entendimiento mutuo.

FIN DE LA ENTREVISTA

En MXSECURITY estamos muy agradecidos de haber podido platicar con el Dr. Motta, quien en todo momento se mostró abierto y objetivo. Creo que podemos aprender mucho de alguien como él, que ha sabido combinar su carrera militar con una envidiable preparación académica en las áreas de seguridad nacional y cooperación internacional.

ADDENDUM: Alfonso Motta Allen es Capitán de Corbeta de Cuerpo General, Piloto de Helicópteros de la Armada de México y Doctor en Ciencia Política/Relaciones Internacionales por la universidad Dalhousie de Nueva Escocia, Canadá. Ha realizado estancias de investigación en el Pearson Peacekeeping Centre de Canadá, el Centro de Estudios y Programas Interamericanos del ITAM y el Colegio de México. Becario Fulbright-García Robles con Maestría en Administración Pública por el Monterey Institute of International Studies de California, conferencista en el Centro de Estudios Superiores Navales (CESNAV) e instructor en el Departamento de Lenguas de la U.S Naval Academy. Ha participado en varios programas internacionales, entre los que destacan la Oficina de Asuntos Regionales en la Embajada de México en Guatemala y la Unidad de Coordinación de la Alianza para la Seguridad y la Prosperidad de América del Norte (ASPAN), en el Centro de Investigación y Seguridad Nacional (CISEN).

This is the company’s official statement:

Hawker Beechcraft Signs Contract with Mexican Air Force for Six T-6C+ Trainers

WICHITA, Kan. (Jan. 9, 2012) – Hawker Beechcraft Defense Company (HBDC) today announced the first sale of its new Beechcraft T-6C+ military trainer to the Mexican Air Force (FAM). The T-6C+, an enhanced version of the T-6 military trainer aircraft, is capable of carrying external stores and delivering practice weapons for training purposes. The first two of six contracted FAM T-6C+ aircraft will be delivered to an advanced training base in Mexico’s northern region in early 2012. The new T-6C+ trainers will replace the FAM’s aging PC-7 fleet.

“We look forward to providing the Mexican Air Force with the highly effective, ultra-reliable and low-maintenance Beechcraft T-6C+,” said Jim Maslowski, president, HBDC. “We see this sale of six aircraft as just the beginning of a long and productive relationship with the FAM.”

The T-6C+ features hard-point wings, Heads-Up Display, Up-Front Control Panel, an integrated glass cockpit and an advanced Esterline CMC Cockpit 4000 avionics suite that greatly expands advanced training opportunities. The systems are integrated with a Hands-On Throttle and Stick (HOTAS), providing the student pilot and instructor with a simpler interface to the digital cockpit. The CMC Cockpit 4000 avionics suite is the first in its class to incorporate a fully integrated and FAA-certified dual FMS/GPS navigation suite that meets the required navigation performance standards for current worldwide airspace equipment. The open architecture design of the Cockpit 4000 provides the flexibility to expand capabilities and continuously meet current and future training needs.

In addition to accommodating instruction in instrument flight procedures and basic aerial maneuvers, the T-6 delivers world-class training capability that is appropriate for teaching the most basic introductory flight training tasks through the more challenging and complex advanced training missions that could previously be accomplished only in far more expensive jet aircraft.

Deliveries of the T-6 began in 2000 after the aircraft was initially selected to fill the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System role for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy. Since then, additional military programs worldwide, including NATO Flying Training in Canada, the Hellenic Air Force of Greece, the Israeli Air Force, the Iraqi Air Force and the Royal Moroccan Air Force, have chosen the T-6 and its derivatives as their primary trainers. To date, the T-6 has been used to train pilots, navigators, and weapons systems operators from approximately 20 different countries.

Hawker Beechcraft is a world-leading manufacturer of business, special mission, light attack and trainer aircraft – designing, marketing and supporting aviation products and services for businesses, governments and individuals worldwide. The company’s headquarters and major facilities are located in Wichita, Kan., with operations in Salina, Kan.; Little Rock, Ark.; Chester, England, U.K.; and Chihuahua, Mexico. The company leads the industry with a global network of more than 100 factory-owned and authorized service centers. For more information, visit www.hawkerbeechcraft.com.

Texan II Cockpit

ADDENDUM:

MXSECURITY learned that the Mexican Air Force bought an initial batch of ten T6C+ Texan II and that more orders will come in the near term. We don’t know why Hawker Beechcraft is talking of six planes.

Airbus Military Copyright (Photo link: http://www.eadsnorthamerica.com/)

This is the first of four Persuaders donated by the US Government to Mexico. The remaining three aircraft will be delivered over the first half of 2012.

These Persuaders should NOT be confused with those purchased directly by the Mexican Navy (a total of four) over the past years.

The Persuaders’ information-management system is the FITS (Fully Integrated Tactical System). The same system is already in use onboard six CASA C-212 Maritime Surveillance aircraft of the Mexican Navy.

Fully Integrated Tactical System FITS (Photo: http://www.airbusmilitary.com/Surveillance/CN235Persuader.aspx)

Airbus Military official statement:

16th November 2011

Mexico takes delivery of its first Airbus Military CN235 MPA ordered under the Mérida Initiative

The Mexican Navy has taken delivery of the first of four CN235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) ordered from Airbus Military through a contract with EADS North America under the Mérida Initiative, a joint program between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Mexico. The remaining three aircraft will be delivered in the first half of 2012.

This CN235 in MPA configuration incorporates the latest technology developed for surveillance over the sea. The combination of the Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) system and a Search Radar allows this aircraft to locate and track ships to conduct thorough patrols of a coastline. The Automatic Identification System (AIS) and the Fully Integrated Tactical System (FITS) help make this aircraft the ideal tool to carry out military surveillance missions for the Mexican Navy. The FITS was entirely developed by Airbus Military and ensures that the extensive data gathered by the aircraft’s on-board sensors can be easily used by the crew to execute their mission.

“It is an honor that the Mexican Navy is taking delivery of this Airbus Military CN235 MPA for its fleet. We are looking forward to the upcoming entry into service of this highly versatile aircraft that is ideal to help enforce law on the Mexican coastline”, says Airbus Military Head of Programmes, Rafael Tentor.

Including this latest delivery, the Mexican Navy already operates three CN235, which are to be added to the two CN235 operated by the Mexican federal police. The Mexican Air Force and Navy also operate nine C295 and six C212 aircraft.

To date, Airbus Military has sold 211 CN235 to 32 different operators in 20 countries all over the world.”

The Mexican Navy announced it didn’t buy any Sherpa and “has no plans [so far…] to buy such vehicles in the near term”.

Then, what about the Sherpa spotted in Veracruz some weeks ago?

Well, that Sherpa was allegedly undergoing operational tests in a real urban-warfare environment.

The Sherpa Light Scout Vehicle is specially suited for military urban operations, making it a great choice for Mexico’s current internal security crisis.

Let us wait for the Navy’s final call.

Renault Sherpa Light Scout Vehicle (Photo: http://www.defense-studies.blogspot.com)

The Air Force announced it has selected the Hawker Beechcraft T6C Texan II over the Embraer Super Tucano (Brazil) and the Pilatus PC9M(Switzerland).

Texan II All-glass cockpit (photo: http://www.airforce-technology.com)

The Texan II main features are:

All-glass cockpit

Head-Up Display (HUD)

Hands-on-throttle and stick (HOTAS)

Range: 1,575 km

Max speed: 585 KM/h

And yes…………it has wing hard points for a limited CAS capability.

The Mexican Air Force will first buy 10 T6C Texan II for advanced training purposes and a following order of 20 planes will come in the next years (perhaps two to three years).

Rumor has it that the second purchase will include the more capable version AT6, a network-centric light attack aircraft with FLIR and Data Link  systems.

Certainly not good news for Pilatus’ guys….it seems they lost one of their best customers ever (Mexico operated up to 80 PC7 over the 80’s and 90’s).

Click here for a great video: http://newsroom.hawkerbeechcraft.com/media-center/beechcraft-t-6c/

Addendum:

The information posted on this blog comes from a public document issued by Mexico’sDefense Ministry on November 4^th.

In a ceremony at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in New Jersey, the Department of Defense Northern Command delivered the brand new helicopters a part of the Merida Counternarcotics Initiative.
It’s been said that the Mexican Navy will use the Blackhawks for CAS, MEDEVAC and Troop Transport Missions along with the Eurocopter EC-725 Cougar helicopters ordered directly by the Mexican Navy.
In the coming months, the US Government will deliver four EADS-CASA CN-234 Persuader Maritime Patrol Aircraft to the Mexican Navy.

Ps. The US Government delivered another three UH-60M for Mexico’s Federal Police last year.

Alenia Aeronautica C27J Spartan

Press report by the main contractor:

“Finmeccanica, through its operating company Alenia Aeronautica, signed a contract worth
approximately USD 200 million with Mexico to supply four tactical transport aircraft C-27J.

[...]
The first aircraft will be delivered by the end of 2011 and the whole supply will be completed by the
end of 2012. The contract envisages also the logistics support for the entire fleet through the supply of
spare parts and GSE (Ground Support Equipment).

The Spartans (VIDEO) will serve along the recently-acquired CASA C295 transport aircraft and the much older C-130 Hercules.

Spartan C-27J cockpit (www.airforce-technology.com)

Addendum: thanks to Favian Uriel for the information.

Credit: Eurocopter

The Navy becomes Mexico’s second EC-725 customer, since the Air Force ordered 6 in 2009 and another 6 the following year.

The EC-725’s could become the Navy’s backbone for CSAR, MEDEVAC and Troop Transport missions.

Alongside with the EC-725’s, the Navy is receiving three Sikorsky UH-60M helicopters as part of the Merida Initiative counter-narcotics program. It is believed that the Blackhawks will serve as a supportive tool for the Navy’s special operations groups.

We expect to receive further information in the coming weeks.  Stay tuned.

Addendum: MXSECURITY has received confirmation that the first EC-725 ordered by the Air Force will arrive in autumn. The Mexican Air Force placed an order of 12 EC-725 plus an unspecified number of future options.

It is not yet known when the Navy is receiving its first batch of EC-725’s.

Photo: http://www.veracruzinforma.com

The Mexican Army is beginning to replace its ageing Humvee fleet.

According to the Ministry of Defense, 717 out of the 2,200 Mexican Humvees are incapable to fulfill the Army’s minimal operational requirements.

Therefore, the Army is acquiring an initial batch of 240 brand new Humvees for a total cost of US $40 million.

Mexican Humvees have proven their efficiency in tactical missions such as troop transport, liaison and reconnaissance.

Nevertheless -as the Army has pointed out- Humvees are not well suited for urban counter-narcotic operations due to their weight and reduced maneuverability. That’s perhaps one of the main reasons that encouraged the Armed Forces to acquire the Sandcat Tactical Protector Vehicle.

Introduction to Peacekeeping Operations, Author: Alfonso J. Motta Allen

The author, a former Mexican Navy officer and Dalhousie University PhD. in International Relations, is a well regarded expert in National Security and United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO).
Next week, MXSECURITY will interview Mr. Motta on Mexico’s future involvement in UNPKO.
 You can send your questions by posting them on the “comments” section.
Till next week.
MXSECURITY Staff.

Despite initial reports that confirmed Monterrey as Eurocopter’s new facility site, the company finally made its call: the winner is Queretaro.

According to a just-made-public press report, Eurocopter’s decision was taken after a “comprehensive study to determine the optimum location…” for its new production site.

Queretaro’s aeronautical cluster is home to various high-tech aeronautical giants such as Bombardier, which produces its brand new corporate jet Learjet 85 right there.

Eurocopter’s announcement confirms Mexico as a powerful aerospace-production platform.

According to press reports, the new facility –worth US $500 million- will strengthen the company’s presence in North America.

If you want to access more information on Mexico’s booming aerospace sector, go here:

Mexican Federation of Aerospace Industries: http://www.femia.com.mx/

According to an official source, the Mexican Ministry of Defense has bought an unspecified number of Oshkosh Sandcat Tactical Protector Vehicles.

The Sandcat is an armored, highly-maneuverable tactical vehicle suited for urban warfare scenarios.

This is perhaps the Army’s most important purchase of state-of-the-art armored vehicles in decades.

It is not yet known when these vehicles will reach operational readiness. However, given Mexico’s current public safety crisis, the Sandcats will face action anytime soon.

Although more details regarding this purchase are still unknown, we do believe that Mexican troops are in desperate need of modern armored vehicles to effectively tackle organized crime gangs. The Sandcat will therefore receive a warm welcome among soldiers.

Update February 05: The first pictures of Mexican Sandcats were shared to us by Greyhound, senior member of  www.mxarmedforces.tk military forum. We are very thankful indeed.

Photo: Boeing MEXSAT

The Mexican Government signed a contract with Boeing worth US $1 Billion for the acquisition of three satellites for civilian and national security purposes.

According to the contractor, the Mexican Satellite System (MEXSAT) will “call for Boeing to design and deliver a complete end-to-end turnkey system consisting of: two Boeing 702HP geomobile satellites; an Orbital Sciences Corporation StarTM 2.4 satellite for fixed satellite services; two ground stations in México, with a spacecraft operations center for network management and operation; and ground-based beam-forming and communications network equipment…”

The satellites will operate over Mexico’s mainland, the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. The ground-control operation centers will be placed in Mexico City and Hermosillo, in the northern state of Sonora.

MEXSAT will serve as Mexico’s main National Security and Defense Communications System for the next two decades.

PS. Besides MEXSAT, the Mexican Defense Ministry is building a Satellite Imagery Intelligence (IMINT) Center around the SPOT-5 satellite platform. You can learn more here: http://mxsecurity.wordpress.com/2010/06/09/the-army-and-air-force-increase-their-satellite-intelligence-capabilities/

Photo taken from the Internet

The state-of-the-art helicopters were donated to Mexico by the United States’ Government under the Merida Initiative counter-narcotics cooperation agreement. The Black Hawks have a nose-mounted FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) equipment.

Photo taken from the Internet

The Federal Police already operates 7 Black Hawk helicopters (UH-60L) for surveillance, transport and special operations duties.

PS. The Mexican Navy is going to receive an unspecified number of UH-60M’s over the next two years.

Military checkpoint with Gamma-Ray non-intrusive facilities at Querobabi, Sonora.

The Mexican Ministry of Defense is asking for a US $150 million budget to build 13 “Counter-narcotics Strategic Checkpoints”.

The Army (project number 10071170002) plans to install 13 company-sized permanent checkpoints with non-intrusive X-Ray and Gamma-Ray inspection facilities.

Each checkpoint will have 5 inspection lanes for small vehicles and another 5 for larger ones, such as cargo trucks or buses. According to the Army it will take no more than 5 minutes to effectively scan every vehicle.

In 2009 the Ministry of Defense inaugurated the Querobabi Counter-narcotics and Arms-smuggling checkpoint in the state of Sonora, northwestern Mexico.  

Querobabi is certainly the most advanced military checkpoint in the country and will serve as a model for the new project.

Click here to access a video of Querobabi (in Spanish).

Addendum: Although I think that counter-narcotics checkpoints do help reduce drug trafficking, I believe that the US $150 millions should be allocated elsewhere (say Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Platoon-sized Tactical Radios or any kind of intelligence-oriented assets).

Drug Trafficking Organizations would simply find another way to avoid a permanent checkpoint…wouldn’t they?   

PS. MXSECURITY decided not to publish the location of the project’s new facilities.

I summarized the most important features of the 100-page document here:

International Cooperation Agreements:

 • Signals and Satellite Intelligence Cooperation Agreement with the Colombian Ministry of Defense.

• Trilateral Conference (Mexican, US and Colombian navies) on sea-based counter-drug trafficking operations.

• Intelligence and Hemispheric Security Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico organized by the US North and South Commands.

• Joint Communications Agreement with the US Navy and the US Coast Guard.

Naval Operations, Training and Modernization Projects

• Tactical Intelligence and Urban Warfare Training Course along with the US Marine Corps.

• Special Operations Training Course along with the US Navy Seals and US Marine Corps Special Operations Command.

• Joint Operations Agreement between the Navy Command and Control Room and the Air Force’s Aerial and Radar Surveillance System.

• Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator Course for the Naval Center for Higher Studies’ Faculty.

• Implementation of a Network-Centric Warfare System to effectively link the navy’s Command and Control Rooms with surface, air and land operational units.

The last one is perhaps the most ambitious project in the institution. Its goal is to connect all vessels, airplanes and infantry units with the Command and Control Centers that the Navy is installing all along the country.

The entire document is worth reading…hope you find the time. Click here.

Contract signature ceremony at Eurocopter de Mexico

The Mexican Air Force had already ordered six EC 725s during the official visit of President Sarkozy to Mexico last year.

The Franco-German-Spanish company –a subsidiary of EADS- stated today that it “…will now be supplying a total of 12 EC725s to Mexico’s SEDENA (Secretaría de La Defensa Nacional) beginning in the second quarter of 2011 for use in transport and civil security missions”.

The EC 725 is the latest version of the Cougar family. As Eurocopter points out, “…this 11-ton class medium-lift, twin-engine helicopter is equipped with five main rotor blades. With its impressive fuel capacity, the EC725 offers a flight endurance of 5.30 hours. It can carry up to 29 passengers in addition to the flight crew, and was designed to perform a wide range of missions.”

The Mexican Air Force will operate 12 EC 725 Special Operations helicopters

The new EC 725s will fulfill a number of missions such as CSAR, transport, MEDEVAC and other special operations tasks.

Picture: http://www.sikorsky.com

The US Department of Defense has confirmed that the Mexican Navy will receive at least three Sikorsky UH-60M helicopters next year.

Since the UH-60M are not “naval-oriented helicopters”, Sikorsky will convert them to meet the Mexican Navy requirements. The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs) announced that Sikorsky was awarded a US $36,580,000 contract to conduct the transformation work.

It has been said that the UH-60M (naval-converted) will conduct CSAR, Drug Trafficking Interdiction and other Special Operations missions. The Mexican Navy will be the very first international user of these state-of-the-art helicopters.

Picture: J.D. Leipold/Army News Service

Addendum: The project (acquisition of platforms and transformation to naval requirements) will have a total cost of approximately US $70 million.  Funds will be provided by the Merida Initiative Counter-narcotics effort.

On May 17th, we pointed out that DTOs could eventually target critical urban infrastructure such as electric power lines, communication hubs or key highways in Mexico’s major cities.

By then DTOs had already disrupted large cities such as Monterrey or even Mexico City, by blocking the cities’ main highways with barricades. However, as we then said, the complexity of the system disruption techniques used by the drug gangs would eventually increase.

In Monterrey for instance, DTOs have started to attack electric power hubs as a clear intent to cause major blackouts. It is not yet clear if these attacks have been successful so far, since local authorities have remained silent on this topic. Nevertheless, similar reports have emerged in the neighboring state of Tamaulipas, where drug gangs related to Los Zetas organization are believed to have caused major damages to small-sized electric stations.

We should not ask ourselves if these attacks will get more complex in the upcoming future –they certainly will, but how can local governments effectively tackle them.

During the past week, local and state authorities in Monterrey announced the creation of the so called “anti-blockade enforcement groups”, comprised of state and municipal policemen with helicopter support. The idea is not bad at all; however since local police forces are deeply corrupted by DTOs, the success of the entire anti-blockade strategy is yet to be seen.

Perhaps local authorities should look at international experiences were criminal syndicates have used similar system disruption tactics.

Sao Paulo, Brazil could be a good example.

During 2006 the Primeiro Comando da Capital, or PCC (First Command of the Capital), a Brazilian criminal syndicate that first started to control local penitentiaries and then moved to a wider scope of illegal activities, attacked the city of Sao Paulo. The PCC hijacked public transport buses and burned them in the middle of the city’s main highways. Schools and government buildings were closed, transportation was halted and several banks robbed.

Throughout several days, Sao Paulo experienced a series of system disruption attacks that collapsed its entire economic and social life.

Lessons drawn from this experience point out two main operational concepts regarding the PCC’s capabilities:

• Mobility: The PCC used small commandos that simultaneously committed the attacks, making it harder to police forces to respond.

• Network-centric communications: The gang-style commandos did not use different communication systems. Instead they communicated with each other and received orders by cell phone. It’s been said that police forces in Sao Paulo did use different communication channels -radios with diverse frequencies- that further complicated their response.

While the PCC had an agile and “networked structure”, police forces were disperse.

In regard to system disruption tactics, the Sao Paulo experience shows us that police and military forces must have a clear command-and-control structure, operate under a network-centric communications system and assure mobility (active helicopter support instead of a passive one).

The anti-blockade enforcement groups created in Monterrey should learn from the Sao Paulo experience. It is not enough to assemble such groups if they don’t operate under a comprehensive, network-centric strategy.

If these anti-blockade groups operate with different communication systems, lack a clear command-and-control structure and have a passive helicopter support, they’ll simply fail