Ukraine signs agreements with several Gulf countries. Volodymyr Zelensky has taken advantage of his tour of the region to collaborate with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar on anti-drone measures. “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 UAE,” assured the Ukrainian president to the press, as reported by La Tribune.
It must be said 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 shown its ability to combat these attacks. Ukraine must therefore share its experience and assist its new partners to “develop all the necessary components of air defense that they currently lack.”
Agreements also beneficial to Ukraine
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 data analysis elements necessary to counter the Shahed and other drones.” As for the UAE, Kiev has proposed to “exchange its drone switches for anti-aircraft defense missiles.” Ukraine would need more of these missiles to withstand Russian attacks.
