Ukraine Deploys Anti-Drone Units Across Gulf States to Counter Iranian Drone Campaign

Ukraine has deployed military anti-drone interception units to five Middle Eastern countries — UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan — to protect critical and civilian infrastructure against Iranian drone and missile attacks. NSDC secretary Umerov visited all five countries in the past week and confirmed Ukrainian military specialists are operating in each under NSDC coordination. Ukraine has developed world-leading expertise in countering cheap kamikaze drones from years defending against Russian Shahed-136 attacks — the same technology Iran is deploying against Gulf energy infrastructure. Kyiv says nearly a dozen countries have sought its drone defense advice. The deployments make Ukraine an active military participant in Gulf air defense, geopolitically notable given Ukraine's complex relationships with both Russia (Iran's arms partner) and the United States (conducting strikes on Iran).

Key facts

• •Ukraine deployed anti-drone units in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan under NSDC coordination
• •Ukrainian military specialists operating in each country protecting critical and civilian infrastructure
• •Ukraine has countered Russian Shahed-136 drones for years — same tech Iran uses against Gulf targets
• •NSDC secretary Umerov visited all 5 countries this past week; further cooperation frameworks outlined
• •Ukraine is the first non-Gulf foreign military to deploy ground-based anti-drone units in the region