Saudi Arabia plans massive drone purchase from Ukraine worth millions
Illustrative photo: Saudi Arabia is preparing for a large-scale purchase of drones in Ukraine (Getty Images)
Saudi Arabia is preparing for a large-scale purchase of Ukrainian air defense systems. Gulf countries plan to use Ukraine’s experience in countering the kamikaze drones that Russia has been using to attack Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Sources say Riyadh is negotiating the purchase of Ukrainian-made interceptor drones and electronic warfare (EW) systems. The value of the contract could reach millions of dollars, although the final document has not yet been signed.
In addition to Saudi Arabia, other countries in the region have also shown interest in Ukrainian technologies. Representatives from Qatar have already visited Ukraine to study its experience in countering drones.
Effectiveness against Shaheds
Gulf countries are facing the same types of Iranian-made Shahed drones that Russia uses against Ukraine. Until now, the US and its regional allies have often shot down these cheap drones using expensive missiles, which is economically inefficient.
The Ukrainian approach offers alternative methods:
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Interceptor drones that collide with an enemy drone or detonate near it;
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Electronic warfare systems that jam the drone’s communication signals, causing it to lose its target.
The United States has already deployed some Merops interceptor systems to the Persian Gulf, which have been successfully tested in combat conditions in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s assistance in the Middle East
In an interview with The New York Times, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Ukraine provided technological support to help protect US military facilities in Jordan. This involved sending a batch of interceptor drones and a group of specialists.
The request from Washington was made on March 5, and the Ukrainian mission departed for the Middle East the following day.
