Ukraine Trades Drone Defence Know-How for Gulf Funding and Tech
“This is not about being involved in operations. We are not at war with Iran,” Zelenskyy said.
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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is looking for financial aid and new technologies in exchange for sending military experts to the Middle East to help Gulf states defend against Iranian drones.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Zelenskyy confirmed that three Ukrainian teams had been dispatched to the region to conduct technical assessments and demonstrate drone defence capabilities as Iran continues targeting countries hosting U.S. military bases. The teams were sent to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and a U.S. military base in Jordan.
Zelenskyy stressed that Ukrainian personnel were present only to share expertise, not to participate in combat. Kyiv’s experience countering Iranian-made drones during its war with Russia has turned the country into an unexpected source of technical know-how.
Since the start of the invasion, Russian forces have widely deployed Iranian drones against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure. In response, Ukraine has developed a range of relatively low-cost countermeasures, including interceptor drones, electronic jamming systems, and layered air defence tactics.
That experience has become increasingly relevant for Middle Eastern states facing similar threats.
Zelenskyy said the advisory missions could lead to longer-term defence cooperation with Gulf countries, including potential agreements on drone defence technologies. However, the details of what Ukraine would receive in return remain under discussion.
“For us today, both the technology and the funding are important,” Zelenskyy said.
Ukraine has also attempted to deepen cooperation with the United States on drone defence systems. Zelenskyy said Kyiv had proposed a large-scale drone agreement with Washington worth between $35 billion and $50 billion, but that the deal has yet to materialize. U.S. President Donald Trump has previously indicated that Washington does not require Ukrainian assistance in countering Iranian drones targeting American assets.
Growing international interest in Ukraine’s counter-drone technologies has prompted Kyiv to tighten oversight of how such systems are sold abroad. Zelenskyy said foreign governments and companies would no longer be allowed to negotiate directly with Ukrainian manufacturers.
“Unfortunately, representatives of certain governments or companies want to bypass the Ukrainian state to purchase specific equipment,” he said, adding that all defence contracts must first be approved through official government channels before private sector negotiations begin.
