Ukraine’s Military Support in the Middle East
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced on Wednesday that anti-drone experts from Ukraine were sent to countries in the Middle East affected by Iranian attacks during Operation Epic Fury. They successfully utilized their interception technology to combat Iranian Shahid drones.
Zelenskiy remarked, “We dispatched military specialists, including those focused on interceptor drones and electronic warfare, and showcased how to operate interceptors in several countries.” This information was shared in a post on Telegram.
“Did we eliminate Iran’s Shahed drones? Yes, definitely. But it wasn’t just in one nation; we achieved this across multiple countries. In my view, it’s a notable success,” he emphasized.
The Shahed drones are Iran’s low-cost, one-way “suicide drones.” Iran has produced large numbers for itself and its allies, including Russia, which has begun making its own versions based on Iranian technology due to their effectiveness in the conflict in Ukraine.
Zelenskiy continued, “This isn’t merely about training exercises; it’s about providing support to construct genuinely functional modern air defense systems. In regions that welcomed our expertise, our specialists were able to swiftly offer advice on enhancing their air defense systems.”
“We also shot down a drone equipped with a jet engine. I believe this sends a strong message. We’ve demonstrated that it works. It’s just a matter of time before we ramp up production of interceptors designed to take down jet-engine drones,” he added.
While most Iranian Shahed drones feature propeller engines, Russia revealed a jet-powered version called the Shahed 238, known for its speed and ability to track moving targets.
Zelenskiy noted that successful drone interception in the Middle East could boost Ukraine’s national stature and set the stage for enduring partnerships that genuinely fortify Ukraine.
Back in March, the president had indicated that he would send Ukrainian officials to five Middle Eastern nations to bolster defenses against Iranian drones. His comments on Wednesday were the first confirmation of their successful interception efforts.
He earlier mentioned how Ukraine’s anti-drone expertise could be pivotal in safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz from Iranian threats. In exchange, he anticipates increased financial support and more surface-to-air missiles for Ukraine’s defense against Russian air attacks.
Additionally, National Security and Defense Council Chairman Rustem Umerov mentioned that the five nations receiving assistance are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, and the UAE.
On Wednesday, Reuters reported that Gulf countries expressed interest in acquiring a cost-effective Ukrainian-designed interceptor drone developed by a Japanese firm, Terra Drone, in collaboration with the Ukrainian startup Amazing Drone.
Each Iranian Shahed drone is priced at around $20,000, with Iran capable of producing about 10,000 monthly. In contrast, each Patriot interceptor costs approximately $4 million, while Terra Drone’s Terra A1 interceptor is estimated at only $2,500.
Although the Terra A1 is a new design and hasn’t undergone field testing yet, Terra Drone CEO Toru Tokushige mentioned that the initial units should be delivered to Ukraine for battlefield trials soon.
Tokushige also highlighted that Terra Drone currently supplies surveying drones to Saudi Aramco, establishing a presence in the Middle East that would facilitate quick distribution of Terra A1 interceptors to Gulf states.
On Friday, Zelensky revealed that Ukraine had entered into a “10-year agreement with three nations” to provide drone protection in crude oil and diesel transactions. These agreements were made in March, coinciding with Iranian attacks on Gulf states, though specific details remain undisclosed.
