Sedena develops the Quetzal drone for the Mexican security forces

The Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) and the Navy are seeking to develop a state-of-the-art drone, which would be operated by Mexican security forces, thereby revolutionizing the country's surveillance and security.

The Quetzal drone overcomes a key limitation of conventional systems by being capable of operating more than 50 nautical miles away from its ground control station. The project began in March 2023 and concluded in April 2026, with an investment of US$5.9 billion for its design, manufacturing, and the training of specialized engineers and technicians.

Based on a proposal from students in Querétaro, the Mexican Air Force decided to join the project by asking UNAQ to conduct the study and develop the final design. The General Directorate of Military Education and the Rector’s Office of the University of the Army and Air Force oversaw the initiative.

One of the drone’s innovative features is its vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability, allowing it to operate without the need for conventional runways. This drone is suitable for both urban and remote environments and is also designed for surveillance, reconnaissance, real-time communication, and data transmission to ground vehicles and command centers.

The purpose of the project is to reduce dependence on expensive foreign military technology, which is also subject to restrictions. The materials, components, and systems of the Quetzal drone are of Mexican origin.

The drone was unveiled in Veracruz as an unmanned defense system with a range of more than 50 nautical miles from its ground control station. Mass production is scheduled to begin this year, featuring VTOL technology and capabilities for surveillance, rescue, and defense against other drones.