Mexican authorities have deployed Black Hawk helicopters and robotic dogs ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with British defence contractors securing lucrative supply deals. The contracts, worth hundreds of millions of pounds, will see UK firms provide advanced surveillance and crowd-control equipment to bolster security for the tournament.
The move comes as Mexico, co-host alongside the US and Canada, faces criticism over human rights concerns. But for British workers in struggling industrial towns, the deals mean jobs and a lifeline. Union leaders, however, warn that the focus should be on domestic security spending.
“This is a welcome boost for our manufacturing sector,” said a spokesperson for the UK’s Aerospace, Defence, Security and Trade organisation. “But we must ensure the benefits reach the shop floor.”
The procurement includes radar systems, drones and armoured vehicles, with production centred in the North West and Midlands – areas hit hard by deindustrialisation. Labour MP for Blackburn, Kate Hollern, welcomed the investment but pressed for assurances on local supply chains.
“Our constituents need secure, well-paid jobs,” she said. “This deal should not just line shareholders’ pockets.”
Yet campaign groups have questioned the ethics of selling military hardware to Mexico, given reports of army abuses. Amnesty International UK called for a halt to the exports, demanding greater transparency.
For many, the news is a reminder of the UK’s reliance on arms sales. With defence exports worth over £10bn a year, the World Cup contracts underline the government’s push to secure post-Brexit trade. But for families grappling with the cost-of-living crisis, the real question remains: will these deals put bread on the table?
As the Black Hawks patrol Mexico City skies, British workers hope their own future is not just a fly-past.
