Ukraine signs agreements with several Gulf countries. Volodymyr Zelensky took advantage of his visit to the region to collaborate with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar on anti-drone warfare. “We are talking about a 10-year cooperation. We have already signed an agreement to that effect with Saudi Arabia, we have just signed a similar agreement with Qatar, also for 10 years, and we will sign one with the Emirates,” assured the Ukrainian president facing the press, as reported by La Tribune.
It should be noted that Ukraine and these Gulf countries are facing drone strikes. These are the Shahed drones used by Iran in the Middle East, and by Russia in Ukraine. After more than four years of war, Kiev has demonstrated its ability to combat these attacks. Ukraine must therefore share its experience and assist its new partners in “developing all the necessary components of air defense that they currently lack.”
The agreement between Ukraine and Saudi Arabia also includes “the construction of a system, its integration with other elements of air defense, the use of Ukrainian experience, AI, and all other necessary data analysis elements to counter the Shahed and other drones.” Regarding the UAE, Kiev has proposed to exchange its drone switches for anti-aircraft defense missiles. Ukraine would need more of these missiles to resist Russian attacks.
