Following a letter from the SBU: Ukrainian drone manufacturers have refused to negotiate with Gulf countries
22 March 05:19
Ukrainian manufacturers of interceptor drones have received dozens of commercial offers from countries in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East. However, direct sales and purchases of drones are still blocked at the state level.
This was reported by BBC Ukraine, citing sources, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
It is noted that buyers are willing to pay more for them than on the Ukrainian market, but some manufacturers have decided to halt negotiations, citing a letter from the SBU sent to companies in early March.
The letter mentioned a ban on arms exports to the Middle East and possible criminal liability for violating this order, the publication writes.
These companies believe that Ukraine’s leadership should take responsibility for resolving this situation, since President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already publicly stated that he wants not just a sale of weapons, but a specific barter: Kyiv would transfer drones and, in return, receive scarce missiles for Patriot systems.
Other manufacturers have already begun the official process of obtaining export licenses for their products.
According to the BBC, at least two major manufacturers of interceptor drones have submitted applications to the Interagency Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation and Export Control Policy. The applications must be reviewed by the commission and then approved by the State Service for Export Control (SSEC).
Currently, these applications are pending, with no specific export authorization or ban from the state.
“We have received inquiries from some foreign countries regarding the supply of Shahed interceptors. We cannot give a positive response until we receive permission from the state,” Vladimir Zinovsky, CEO of TAF Industries, told the BBC.
A representative of one of the manufacturers that submitted an application to export UAVs noted that, in his opinion, the authorities are deliberately blocking the possibility of selling Ukrainian interceptors abroad.
“The president has already outlined his conditions for selling drones and, evidently, believes that without meeting these conditions, there can be no question of any exports,” the source told the publication.
He also noted that the delay in opening up exports could lead to a loss of interest among potential buyers or their shift to other markets offering similar products.
As an example, he cited the fact that the U.S. has already sent 10,000 MEROPS interceptor drones—which were tested in Ukraine—to the Middle East, even though these drones are more expensive than their Ukrainian counterparts.
