Ukraine Offers Anti-Drone Expertise to Middle East, Seeks Funding and Technology in Return
Kyiv_ President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready to share its expertise in countering Iranian-made drones with Middle Eastern nations, but expects financial support and advanced technology in return.
Speaking in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian specialists have already been deployed to several countries in the region to help assess defenses against kamikaze drones used by Iran.
Each Ukrainian team consists of dozens of experts tasked with analyzing local air-defense capabilities and demonstrating effective counter-drone strategies.
According to the Ukrainian leader, teams have been sent to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, while specialists have also visited a U.S. military base in Jordan. The deployments come as Gulf states face growing threats from Iranian “Shahed” kamikaze drones and have expended significant numbers of air-defense missiles trying to intercept them.
Ukraine has gained extensive experience countering such drones during its war with Russia. Ukrainian forces regularly intercept drones using a mix of air-defense systems, electronic jamming equipment, and smaller interceptor drones that provide a cheaper alternative to expensive missile systems.
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine’s assistance does not mean involvement in military operations against Iran. Instead, he described the mission as a defensive effort focused on sharing knowledge and conducting detailed evaluations of regional air-defense strategies.
“This is not about participating in operations. We are not at war with Iran,” Zelenskyy said, stressing that Ukraine’s role is limited to technical advice and strategic assessments on how to counter the Iranian-made Shahed drones.
He added that nearly a dozen countries worldwide have approached Ukraine seeking guidance on defending against drone attacks, reflecting Kyiv’s growing reputation in drone warfare and electronic defense.However, Zelenskyy made clear that Ukraine expects tangible benefits from its assistance.
“Honestly, for us today, both the technology and the funding are important,” he said, noting that discussions about what Ukraine will receive in return are still ongoing.
The Ukrainian president also said it remains uncertain whether Kyiv and the United States will finalize a long-discussed agreement on drone cooperation, negotiations for which have been underway for months.
As drone warfare becomes an increasingly central feature of modern conflicts, Ukraine’s battlefield experience is now positioning the country as an emerging global source of expertise in counter-drone defense.
