(KYIV) – Ukraine has deployed more than 200 drone specialists to the Middle East to assist Gulf states in countering Iranian made Shahed drone threats, while seeking to expand defence cooperation and attract investment into its military industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe only country who is willing to help Trump is Ukraine. More than 200 Ukrainian drone experts deployed to the Middle East to counter Shahed threats,\u201d according to military analysts.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur teams are already in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and are heading to Kuwait,\u201d Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the UK Parliament.<\/p>\n
According to the statement, 201 Ukrainian personnel are currently deployed across the Middle East and Gulf region, with a further 34 ready for deployment. Officials stressed that this number represents a small portion of Ukraine\u2019s overall unmanned systems capability.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s over 50,000 soldiers in the unmanned systems forces. These are drone operators. So sparing 230, it\u2019s a great goodwill gesture for Ukraine to the Gulf States, but this isn\u2019t going to prevent Ukraine\u2019s effectiveness at shooting down Russian Shaheds or their fight on the front lines,\u201d the report noted.<\/p>\n
Zelensky addressed concerns about production capacity, stating that Ukraine can sustain both domestic defence needs and international support.<\/p>\n
\u201cFirst, we are capable of producing at least 2,000 effective and combat proven interceptor drones every day. We can produce more. It depends on investment,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need about 1,000 interceptor drones a day for defending against Russian Shaheds and we can supply at least another thousand a day to our allies.\u201d<\/p>\n
The deployment is also aimed at strengthening economic and strategic ties with Gulf countries, which possess significant financial resources and face growing security threats from drone attacks.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is what Zelensky is really talking about. The Saudis, the Emiratis, the Qataris, the Kuwaitis, they have money. And if they are willing to invest in Ukrainian drone companies, they can scale up production,\u201d the report said.<\/p>\n
Analysts say such cooperation could benefit all parties by enhancing regional defence capabilities while boosting Ukraine\u2019s rapidly expanding defence industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis benefits Ukraine. This protects the Gulf States. It forms new dialogue and relationships. This is an excellent opportunity for Ukraine\u2019s defence industry to attract Middle Eastern investment,\u201d Ukrainian analyst Jake Broe said.<\/p>\n
The move comes as confidence in US security guarantees appears uncertain, with concerns that Washington may not be able to provide sufficient protection against evolving drone threats.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose countries have the money and they want protection. At the moment, the United States and Donald Trump cannot fully provide it, but Ukraine can,\u201d the Jake’s report concluded.<\/p>\n