Drones Shahed: Ukraine brings its expertise to Gulf countries in the war in the Middle East

Published: March 28, 2026, 22:00

Updated: March 28, 2026, 23:28

Reading time: 2min – Video: 2min

Volodymyr Zelensky traveled to Qatar on Saturday, March 28. The Ukrainian president is bringing his country’s industrial and technological expertise in combating Shahed drones. There are 200 Ukrainian experts present in the Gulf countries.

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Volodymyr Zelensky was welcomed by the Emir of Qatar in person, with honors, at one of the country’s most prestigious palaces. On Saturday, March 28, the two men signed a historic defense agreement. Kiev will sell weapons to Doha to help intercept Iranian kamikaze drones. “We are talking about a ten-year cooperation. We have already signed an agreement to this effect with Saudi Arabia and will soon sign another with the United Arab Emirates, also for ten years,” stated the Ukrainian president.

Since the start of the war in the Middle East, Gulf countries have been hit almost daily by Iranian drones called Shahed, similar to those used by Russia to target Ukraine.

To counter this, Kiev has successfully developed new tools, including an interceptor drone capable of neutralizing Shahed drones in mid-flight. It can reach speeds of 310 km/h and fly up to 9,000 meters in altitude. It is a formidable weapon, and at a lower cost. Priced at just $1,000, it is attracting Gulf countries. “The systems offered by the Ukrainians will cost between $1,000 and $3,000, while we have missiles that cost between one and three million dollars, or we need to launch fighter jets where the cost of just one hour of flight would cover the price of ten interceptor drones,” highlighted Xavier Tytelman, an aviation and defense consultant.

Volodymyr Zelensky hopes to find new allies against Russia through these agreements, by obtaining arms deliveries and financial support.