"And because of the irresponsible actions of these thugs I am announcing that I have given instructions to establish four additional battalions, in order to support with efficient elements, the work of the armed forces in these places," he said.
Calderon did not say when the troops would be moved into the region, how long they would stay or what their exact role would be.
Calderon also said he has ordered upgrades to the Mexican Air Force's Hercules transport planes and promised to buy better weapons and bulletproof vests for troops in the field. He also said the Army battalions engaged in "high-risk operations" will receive armored trucks shown off during the Army Day celebration.
Drug-related violence has claimed more than 34,550 lives since 2006, when Calderon took office and declared war on drug traffickers, according to the Trans-Border Institute at the University of San Diego.
According to the institute, violence spiked last year in three northeastern states near the U.S. border, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi, where the U.S. agents were attacked as they drove between Monterrey and Mexico City.
In that case, suspected members of a drug cartel bracketed the agents' SUV as they drove, forced it off the road and fired on the agents inside, according to Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, who said he had been briefed on the incident by federal immigration officials.
Special Agent Jaime Zapata died in the attack, which is now being investigated by a joint U.S.-Mexican task force.
The agents were returning to Mexico City after meeting other U.S. personnel in San Luis Potosi, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said.