ThePrint ThePrintPod: Ukraine-Saudi Arabia deal over drone expertise during Zelensky's visit & amid Gulf war
Mar 27, 2026
A surprise presidential visit to Saudi Arabia and a new security cooperation deal focused on protecting the skies. Talks about trading drone-defence expertise for access to advanced Gulf air-defence systems. Discussion of Ukrainian defence firms courting Gulf interest. Concerns that US weapons might be reallocated from one region to another amid rising tensions.
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Ukraine Sells Air Defence Know-How To Gulf States
- Ukraine is marketing battlefield-tested air defence expertise to Gulf states facing Iranian drone threats.
- Samah Qundeel notes Kyiv offers drone interceptors, jammers and anti-aircraft guns in exchange for Gulf missiles and access.
Shahid Drone Experience Is Kyiv's Exportable Asset
- Ukrainian forces gained extensive experience intercepting Iranian-designed Shahid drones used by Russia on cities.
- Zelensky says over 200 Ukrainian anti-drone specialists have been deployed across parts of the Middle East to bolster defences.
Prioritise Layered Low-Cost Drone Defences
- Do pursue low-cost layered defences like interceptors, electronic jamming and anti-aircraft guns when facing swarm drone threats.
- Samah Qundeel highlights Ukrainian firms Covertus and TAF Industries fielding Gulf interest, pending Kyiv export approvals.