The Mexican Military

Hey there guys! Recently, I read an article by some conservative pundit alarmists which states that aparently, the Mexican Military is planning to invade the U.S. I know, I know. It sounds ridiculous. Your right, it is rediculous. The articles took the testimonies of a County sheriff, unconfirmed FBI agents and a congressman. However, I expect someone might try to argue that this is possible. I dont know for sure myself, which is why I ask you guys. I was in fact trying to look it up, when all I found were articles about this and when the Mexican military went to help us with Katrinia. (I am an american citizen, if you could not guess.)

Anyway...I have some specific questions so it does not become too messy.

-How does the Mexican Military compare in terms of technology and strategy with the United States Military?

-What is the standard 'kit' for a Mexican solider? Standard infantry weapon, grenades etc.

-What is the current Mexican MBT?

-What, if it has one, is the current Mexican Attack Helicopter?

-What are some Mexican special operations groups?

-Does the Mexican military get suppourt from the United States military?

-What, if any, limitations are there imposed upon the Mexican Military from a possible agreement from the Mexican-American war?

-What nations could possibly be of a threat to Mexico or her intrests?

Thanks in advance. Keep in mind, I only want to know these facts and I dont really beleve the Mexican military is invading or anything of that nature. In fact, Mexico's military has always intrested me and these would help ansewer some questions I have wanted to know for awhile.

Boy talk about ridiculous, I would be surprised if there was a standard Mexican MBT. But from what Iv'e heard from a guy that I work with, who actually was in the Mexican Army, is that their basic/PT training program is quite rigorous. And he says that when he was in, which was like a couple years ago, that the standard issue assault rifle was the G3. Much beyond that I can't really say, but judging from what I've heard from my Mexican freind, I don't think they pose any real threat.

Even though it is ridiculous, if it were to happen I'd be right on the frontlines, living in Arizona I am right on their border

The alarmist "Mexico invasion" was drummed up by a local newspaper in Southern California called "The San Bernadino Sun", claiming that "Mexican Military" crossed into US territory 216 times over the last 9 years, and the incursions were made to help drug and human smugglers to get into the US.

The truth is that they probably counted Mexican police as "Mexican Army". The total number of incursions were made to look big (216) by adding up almost an entire decade and combining all border areas. From 1996-2004, there were 16 recorded incidents of Mexican police/army incursion into San Diego County (southern california) side of the border. That's a grand total of... 1.78 times a year. Also, the Mexican military sent a convoy to deliver relief supplies to New Orelans in 2005.

Just like everywhere else, there are good cops, and there are bad cops. Some good Mexican cops chase after drug dealers across the border, other bad Mexican cops help drug dealers cross the border. Corruption is a fact of life in Mexico and in 2004, the Mexican state of Morelos dismissed its entire police force for drug related corruption, because the police chief was found to be on the mob's payroll.

The Mexican military has an annual budget of ~$6 billion USD with an active force of ~241,000, plus 300,000+ "reserves". However many army conscripts only attend few hours of drill instruction on weekends with no firearms training. The standard army rifle is H&K G3 & G36. The Mexican army does not own any modern MBT's, just APC's and a few old WW2 era tanks.

The Mexican AF's only fighter plane is the F-5E/F, they do not operate any attack helicopters (do we count hueys with a machinegun?). Here's the Mexican military helicopter inventory:


As for special operations groups, the army and navy have their own. The US is a traditional supplier of arms to Mexico and the Mexican military is in NO position to threaten the US militarily. Mexico does not face "threats" on its border. To the north, it only borders the US and it's impossible to match the US militarily anyway. To the south Mexico has 2 shrimp-sized neighbors. Guatemala has annual military budget of only $200 million, and Belize has total population of only 280,000 (and miliary budget of mere $18 million).

Mexico uses the US as a population-growth safety valve and sends people north every day. Guatemela has high birth rate problems too but they send them to "re-occupy" Belize.