Ukraine to Help Gulf States Fight Iranian Drones
AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka, File
Ukraine is working to strengthen its military partnerships with several Gulf nations while sharing its experience in defending against drones and missiles. The effort comes as tensions rise in the region following the war involving Iran.
On Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine had reached defense cooperation agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The announcements followed a similar arrangement with Saudi Arabia the previous day, made during an unannounced trip by Zelensky through the Gulf region.
According to Qatar’s defense ministry, its agreement with Ukraine will include collaboration on defending against missile and drone threats. The deal also covers joint technology initiatives, investment opportunities, and the exchange of expertise related to unmanned aerial systems.
Zelensky said Ukraine has already signed long-term, 10-year security agreements with both Saudi Arabia and Qatar. A comparable agreement with the United Arab Emirates is expected to be finalized soon.
Several Gulf states have recently faced missile and drone attacks linked to Iran, which has carried out aerial strikes in response to military actions by the United States and Israel. Ukraine, which has spent years countering Russian missile and drone attacks, has developed effective and relatively inexpensive drone-interception technology that has proven successful on the battlefield.
By sharing this expertise, Ukraine hopes to strengthen regional defenses while also receiving assistance in return. Kyiv is seeking additional high-end air-defense missiles from Gulf partners, systems that Ukraine needs to better defend against Russia’s ongoing attacks.
Specific details of the agreements have not been released. Ukrainian officials have suggested that Gulf nations could use Ukrainian-made drone interceptors instead of their more costly air-defense missiles. This would allow those advanced missile systems to be redirected to help Ukraine.
Zelensky emphasized that security cooperation benefits both sides. He said protection against aerial threats must be strong everywhere and added that Ukraine is prepared to help partners who support its own defense efforts.
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