As Middle Eastern countries struggle to down Iranian drones ... - CBC
AI Analysis
Ukraine has deployed over 200 military specialists to the Middle East to assist in defending against Iranian Shahed drones, following attacks on critical infrastructure in the region. Ukrainian interceptor drones are in high demand among Gulf states, with ongoing negotiations for procurement.
Key Takeaways
- Ukraine sends 200 specialists to Middle East to counter Iranian drones.
- Iranian Shahed drones targeted Kuwait's oil refinery.
- Gulf states have faced over 2,000 drone and missile attacks since February.
- Ukrainian interceptor drones are in high demand in the Middle East.
- Export licenses and defense technology sales are pending from Kyiv.
Why It Matters
The deployment of Ukrainian specialists and potential sale of interceptor drones to Middle Eastern countries highlights the growing international collaboration in counter-UAS efforts. This development underscores the strategic importance of counter-drone technology in protecting critical infrastructure and maintaining regional stability amidst escalating tensions involving Iran.
As Middle Eastern countries struggle to down Iranian drones, Ukraine sends 200 specialists to help | CBC News
As Middle Eastern countries struggle to down Iranian drones, Ukraine sends 200 specialists to help | CBC News Loaded
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As Middle Eastern countries struggle to down Iranian drones, Ukraine sends 200 specialists to help
After Iranian Shahed drones hit an oil refinery in Kuwait, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Kyiv has sent more than 200 military specialists to the Middle East to help defend critical infrastructure from the same type of threat Ukraine has faced for years.
Drone experts deployed to Qatar, the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan
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Danylo Kholiavko, founder of a Kyiv-based manufacturer, holds one of the company's interceptor drones, which are in high demand in Ukraine and the Middle East. (Serhii Moos/CBC)
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After Iranian Shahed drones hit the Mina Al-Ahamadi oil refinery in Kuwait on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Kyiv has sent more than 200 military specialists to the Middle East to help defend critical infrastructure from the same type of threat Ukraine has been facing for years.
Zelenskyy said 228 Ukrainian drone specialists have deployed to five countries — Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan.
After the U.S. and Israel started launching airstrikes against Iran on Feb. 28, Gulf Arab states have been targeted with more than 2,000 drones and missiles.
Those countries, which have suffered attacks on energy infrastructure, hotels and diplomatic missions, are also keen to purchase thousands of Ukraine’s interceptor drones, and Kyiv says that "serious agreements and deals" are being worked out.
"For the last week, we had four different requests for interceptors from the Middle East," said Andrii Sych, co-founder of the Kyiv-based UV military cluster, a manufacturer that also collaborates with other drone companies.
"So I can say the demand is quite high."
An Iranian-designed Shahed 136 (Geranium-2) drone used by the Russian army flies over Kyiv during a Russian attack on Dec. 27, amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine. ( Sergei Supinsky/AFP/Getty Images)
He told CBC News one of the inquiries came from the United Arab Emirates, but the manufacturer hasn’t officially sold any interceptors yet because it needs an export licence from Kyiv and permission to sell defence technology abroad.
Ukraine has unrivalled experience when it comes to downing Iranian drones, which were first used by Russia in the fall of 2022.
Since then,