Ukraine is ready to share its experience countering Iranian-designed Shahed drones with partners in the Middle East, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as the United States and Gulf countries explore the use of Ukrainian interceptor drones to defend against mass UAV attacks.
“We received signals from partners in the Middle East. There have been strikes by Iranian ‘Shaheds’ on civilians in those countries. They are seeking our expertise,” Zelenskyy said on X. “We are open. If their representatives come, we will provide the expertise.”
Ukraine’s drone war experience draws global interest
Ukraine has developed a range of low-cost interceptor drones after years of defending its cities against large-scale Russian aerial attacks, many of which rely on Iranian-designed Shahed platforms.
The experience has made Kyiv one of the most advanced operators of counter-drone tactics against mass UAV strikes, combining interceptor drones, electronic warfare and conventional air defenses.
Ukrainian officials say several partners are now interested in drawing on that operational experience as Iranian drone attacks spread across the Middle East.
Cost imbalance drives search for alternatives
The discussions also reflect the growing cost imbalance between cheap attack drones and expensive interceptor missiles.
Industry officials say Ukrainian interceptor drones can cost only a few thousand dollars per unit, compared with millions of dollars for traditional interceptors such as PAC-3 missiles used by the Patriot air defense system.
“Hundreds or thousands of ‘Shaheds’ cannot be intercepted with Patriot missiles – it is too costly,” Zelenskyy said.
“That is why they need interceptor drones, which we have.”
Drone interceptors against Patriot missiles?
Kyiv has also suggested that cooperation could involve exchanges of capabilities between Ukraine and its partners.
Ukraine faces shortages of high-end air defense interceptors, including PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles used by the Patriot system to counter Russian missile attacks.
“If they give them to us, we will give them interceptors. It is an equal exchange,” Zelenskyy said in a previous briefing.