Ukraine's expertise in drone warfare has won over Gulf states, which are seeking to bolster their defenses against Iran's missile and drone attacks. In a significant shift, the Gulf states have turned to Ukraine for help, with President Volodymyr Zelensky signing 10-year security partnerships with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
Ukraine's innovative defense firms have developed cheap but effective drone interceptors that cost between $2,000 and $5,000 each, which can take out up to 90% of the $50,000 Russian Geran-2 drones launched in swarms at Ukrainian cities.
The Gulf states have extensive air defenses, but it is absurd to shoot down slow-moving Shaheds with Patriot interceptors costing $4m each or air-launched AIM-9X Sidewinders that cost $500,000. Ukraine's expertise in matching the shooter to the target and its AI-enabled battlefield management system, Delta, have been instrumental in thwarting large-scale attacks.
The deals with Ukraine are a recognition that Ukrainian expertise in drone warfare far exceeds anything that American and European arms suppliers can offer. The agreements also include co-production of air-defense systems and partnerships between government-approved Ukrainian defense firms and Gulf counterparts.
Ukrainian companies will get a welcome injection of cash and new orders, while the war has sparked "huge interest" in Ukrainian drone interceptors among the Gulf states. The Ukrainian government sees the deals in long-term geopolitical terms, with President Zelensky eager to export "our system of protection, the skills of our warriors, the knowledge that our state possesses."
