Zacatecas expands helicopter fleet, seeks Black Hawk

Reporting and context

Zacatecas has bought two helicopters for a planned state air police unit and is separately seeking another Black Hawk whose acquisition is under U.S. government review, according to Infobae México, citing Governor David Monreal Ávila.

Monreal announced the purchases at the opening of new facilities for the state's C5i security coordination and intelligence center. He said the two helicopters would arrive soon, but did not disclose their models, equipment, purchase price or specific assignments.

The state already operates two helicopters from the public security secretariat's hangar in Guadalupe. Infobae México reported that the existing fleet includes a U.S.-made Black Hawk bought secondhand in early 2025. The two newly purchased aircraft would expand that fleet; the additional Black Hawk remains a separate proposed acquisition.

Monreal said the Black Hawk he is seeking would use thermal sensors and infrared technology to detect people kilometers away. He gave no estimated cost, timetable for U.S. approval or detailed specifications for the proposed detection equipment. Those capabilities remain the governor's description of the aircraft he wants to acquire.

The governor also said the existing Black Hawk carries a .50-caliber Barrett rifle, which he described as an anti-armor weapon. He claimed Zacatecas is the only Mexican state authorized to equip a police helicopter with a weapon of that caliber, with permission granted by the Defense Ministry. He said Nuevo León, Jalisco and the State of Mexico have similar helicopters but lack that authorization.

The expansion is intended to strengthen aerial surveillance and operations against criminal organizations in Zacatecas. Monreal described the planned state air police unit as unique in Mexico, but the announcement left its staffing, command structure, operating procedures and formal launch date unspecified.

Infobae México noted that the state had not publicly provided the investment amount or a detailed operating calendar. The photographs accompanying the report show the existing Black Hawk, rather than establishing the models of the two new purchases.

Original reporting: Infobae México.