Drones, electronic warfare, and missiles: Kyiv negotiates a large-scale contract with Saudi Arabia
11 March 14:14
Saudi Arabia is preparing to sign an agreement to purchase Ukrainian interceptor drones, according to the Kyiv Independent, citing a source in Ukraine’s defense industry, reports "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to the journalists’ interlocutors, Kyiv and Riyadh are negotiating large-scale contracts between the governments of both countries, which may be concluded in the near future.
One of the sources noted that a “major deal” between the states could be signed as early as March 11.
Contract for Ukrainian drones already signed
According to sources, one of the contracts — for Ukrainian interceptor drones — has already been signed.
A Saudi arms manufacturer is acting as a local intermediary in this deal.
Such drones are designed to destroy other drones, including Iranian drones, which in recent years have become a key tool in modern warfare.
The agreement may include air defense and electronic warfare systems
The Wall Street Journal also reports on the preparation of a large-scale contract.
According to two sources cited by the publication, in addition to interceptor drones, Saudi Arabia is considering purchasing:
- air defense systems,
- electronic warfare (EW) systems.
The potential deal is expected to be worth millions of dollars, although it has not yet been finalized.
Persian Gulf countries’ interest in Ukrainian technology
Experts say that interest in Ukrainian military technologies is growing amid tensions in the Middle East, particularly due to Iran’s activities.
According to Bogdan Popov, an analyst at Triada Trade Partners, Gulf countries are considering various forms of cooperation with Ukraine.
These include:
- the purchase of Ukrainian defense products
- technology transfer
- the involvement of Ukrainian instructors.
According to him, diplomats from the region have already approached the Ukrainian government with proposals to start negotiations on such forms of cooperation.
Ukrainian experts are already working in the Middle East
On March 10, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukrainian military personnel and National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov had traveled to the Persian Gulf region.
According to him, Ukrainian specialists can help partners protect people’s lives and stabilize the situation.
Earlier that day, Zelensky announced that Ukraine had already sent three groups of experts to the region to help combat Iranian drones.
The first countries to receive Ukrainian specialists were:
- Qatar
- United Arab Emirates
- Saudi Arabia.
Possible exchange: drones for air defense missiles
Ukraine is also discussing the exchange of military technology with its partners in the Middle East.
According to Zelensky, Kyiv is negotiating the supply of missiles for air defense systems in exchange for cooperation in the field of drones.
Specifically, this involves PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles for the Patriot system.
Earlier, Bloomberg reported that Kyiv had offered Middle Eastern countries the services of Ukraine’s best specialists in combating Iranian drones.
In exchange, Ukraine is counting on diplomatic support and assistance in negotiations for a temporary truce in the war with Russia.
