US turns to Ukraine for help amid Shahed drone attacks
Photo: Shahed-type drones (defence-ua.com)
The United States asked Ukraine for help in defending against Shahed-type drones in the Middle East, according to a statement from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
"We received a request from the United States for specific support in defending against Shahed drones in the Middle East. I have instructed that the necessary resources be provided and ensured the presence of Ukrainian specialists who can guarantee the required security," his statement reads.
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine "helps partners who contribute to our security and the protection of our people’s lives."
US interest in Ukrainian drones
The US, along with at least one other Gulf country, is negotiating to purchase Ukraine’s interceptor drones to counter Iranian Shaheds.
The reason for this interest is that shooting down an Iranian drone, which costs about $30,000, currently requires Patriot system missiles priced at over $13.5 million each.
Ukraine was the first to deploy mass-produced interceptor drones, costing only a few thousand dollars, to destroy Russian Shahed analogs.
On Tuesday, March 3, Zelenskyy said he discussed the use of Ukrainian drone defense technologies with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
He noted that Ukraine today has one of the world’s best experiences in countering Shaheds, but added that cooperation with partners "is possible only without compromising our defense capabilities."
The UK wants Ukrainian experts to train Gulf countries on how to take down Iranian drones. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke about these plans, although Zelenskyy has not yet confirmed receipt of official requests.
RBC-Ukraine previously reported that Ukraine is actively working on this issue, including agreements between Kyiv and the UAE on joint protection against Iranian Shahed attacks.
