Will Ukraine help Gulf states down Iranian drones?
Will Ukraine help Gulf states down Iranian drones?
Ukraine has expressed its readiness to provide expertise to assist Gulf nations in defending against Iranian drone attacks. The country claims it has developed significant experience in countering such threats and is open to sharing this knowledge. However, the nation’s military advisors cannot leave the front lines while the war continues, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Zelenskyy’s Condition
During a post on his Telegram channel, Zelenskyy outlined a key requirement for Ukraine’s involvement. He proposed that Middle Eastern leaders, who maintain strong ties with Russia, should leverage these relationships to secure a one-month ceasefire. Once such an agreement is in place, Ukraine would deploy its top drone defense operators to the region, he emphasized.
“Leaders of the Middle East have great relations with Russians, they can ask Russia to implement a month-long ceasefire,” Zelenskyy said to Bloomberg.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha echoed this sentiment in an interview with Reuters. He stated that the armed forces could neutralize 90% of Iranian Shahed drones, primarily using domestically made interceptors. Sybiha added that while Ukraine might not send all its personnel, it could still provide support if Russian attacks on its territory are halted.
Strategic Shift in Gulf Perception
According to Oleksandr Chara, a security analyst at the Center for Defense Strategies (CDS), Arab states initially overlooked the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. They failed to recognize Russia’s role as a key ally of Iran, aiding in the development of drone technology. This perspective shifted after Iranian drones, equipped with Russian components, began targeting Gulf regions.
“Shooting down a $30,000 drone with a missile costing $100,000 or more becomes a costly endeavor,” Chara explained. “It makes sense for Gulf nations to invest in Ukrainian solutions.”
Chara outlined three potential collaborations between Ukraine and the Gulf states. The first would involve deploying Ukrainian forces to defend critical infrastructure. The second would focus on training pilots in the Middle East and Ukraine to strengthen military partnerships. The third scenario envisions financial investment from Gulf countries to scale up interceptor drone production.
On March 3, Zelenskyy mentioned that Ukraine is considering transferring some drone production responsibilities to Gulf states. In exchange, Kyiv seeks to acquire American PAC-3 missiles for the Patriot system, crucial for enhancing its air defense capabilities.
The Financial Times reported on March 5 that the Pentagon and a Gulf state were discussing the purchase of Ukrainian-made interceptors, as noted by an unnamed industry representative. Oleh Katkov, a military expert and editor of Defense Express, highlighted the Gulf states’ financial strength but noted their lack of operational data.
“The value lies solely in our ability to help build an effective air defense system using our real-world experience,” Katkov told DW. “This is a wealth of information—no one else has data on deployed units, ammunition needs, or what equipment truly works.”
