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Ukraine has signed multiple defense agreements with Gulf nations to share its battlefield-tested expertise in countering drones and missiles amid the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Some shit you should know before you dig in: Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was willing to help Middle Eastern countries defend themselves from an onslaught of Iranian drones being launched at their territory. At the time, Zelenskyy said Ukraine was willing to share its expertise, and in return, Ukraine would seek both pressure from these countries on Russia to push for a ceasefire, as well as potential monetary support or air defense interceptors. This offer was lucrative as Ukraine is no stranger to dealing with Iranian-made drones. Early in the war, Russia turned to Iran for supplies of Shahed loitering munitions, which Russia began using against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure in 2022. After four years of war, Russia has launched more than 57,000 Iranian-designed Shahed drones against Ukraine. Over time, Ukraine has developed various methods and technologies to counter these drones.
What’s going on now: In a notable development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy finalized and advanced a series of long-term defense agreements with Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, centered on countering missile and drone threats. The agreement with Qatar (confirmed by its defense ministry) includes cooperation in technological development, joint investments, and the exchange of expertise specifically targeting unmanned aerial systems and missile defense.
Ukrainian officials noted that Kyiv would provide battlefield-proven know-how, including interceptor drones, electronic warfare tools, and training from deployed anti-drone specialists, while positioning itself as a cost-effective alternative to expensive Western air defense systems. Zelenskyy described the broader set of agreements as potentially worth billions of dollars and spanning close to a decade.
In return, Ukraine is seeking a mix of financial backing, political support, and critically needed air-defense resources, particularly advanced missile systems that Kyiv says are better suited for countering Russian ballistic threats. Ukrainian officials indicated that part of the strategy involves effectively “trading” expertise and lower-cost drone interception capabilities in exchange for access to these high-end systems and funding to sustain domestic weapons production amid ongoing budget pressures. Zelenskyy also noted discussions around energy cooperation and longer-term economic partnerships tied to reconstruction and supply stability.
As of now, there has been no comment from Russia.
