MEXICAN PARAMILITARY AVIATION • Gendarmerie & Police Forces
Mexican Paramilitary 136,900 Personnel (Total for all paramilitary organizations).
Forces by Role & Equipment by Type
(incl National Guard and Federal Ministerial Police units)
• HELICOPTER No combat capable. Total 37+ Aircraft.
Transport / Multi-role Helicopter (National Guard)
12 security brigades with:
- 7 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk (Medium Transport);
- 4 Mil Mi-17 Hip H (Multi-role);
- 1+ Bell 407GX (Multi-role).
Law Enforcement / Utility Helicopter (Federal Ministerial Police)
1 component with:
- 18 Bell 205 (UH-1H) (Light Transport);
- 7 Bell 212 (Light Transport).
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (ISR)
Specialized units with:
- 2 Aeronautics Dominator XP (Heavy ISR).
Capabilities & Role
The paramilitary aviation sector in Mexico is defined by the continued expansion of the National Guard (Gendarmerie), which was created in 2019 using elements from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and the now-dissolved Federal Police. As of 2026, the National Guard remains a critical component of Mexico's internal security strategy, specifically tasked with counter-narcotics and reclaiming territory from drug cartels.
The National Guard's aviation fleet is built around the UH-60M Black Hawk and Mi-17, providing high-mobility transport for its 12 security brigades. Although the administration has faced legal challenges regarding the full transfer of the National Guard to the Ministry of Defence (SEDENA), these assets operate in close synchronization with military forces.
The Federal Ministerial Police maintain a legacy fleet of Bell 205 and 212 helicopters for tactical law enforcement support. Furthermore, the paramilitary forces have integrated advanced unmanned capabilities, utilizing the Dominator XP UAV for persistent high-altitude intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The primary focus of these assets remains domestic stability and maritime/border interdiction.
4/5 Generation Fighters 
