Gulf states targeted by Iranian drone strikes are turning to Ukraine for counter-drone expertise and interceptor unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), creating what could become the first large-scale defence-export campaign for Kyiv’s wartime drone industry.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the UK Parliament on 17 March that 201 Ukrainian military experts are operating across the Gulf region, with a further 34 ready to deploy. Ukrainian Security Council Secretary Rustem Umerov subsequently confirmed that interception units are active in five countries – the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan – with coverage expanding.
The deployments followed requests from more than 10 countries, including the United States. Zelensky framed the effort as part of a broader ‘Drone Deal’ proposed to Washington, though the agreement remains unsigned.
