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Saudi Arabia in Talks to Buy Ukrainian Interceptor Drones to Counter Iranian Shaheds
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Saudi Arabia is currently in negotiations with Ukraine to acquire interceptor drones designed to neutralize Iranian-made Shahed loitering munitions.
Тhe potential contract could be valued at millions of dollars, though a final agreement has not yet been signed, аccording to The Wall Street Journal on March 10.
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Beyond the drones themselves, Riyadh is also exploring the purchase of Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) systems to bolster its defenses against unmanned aerial attacks.
Interest in Ukraine’s specialized counter-drone technology is spreading across the Middle East.
Representatives from Qatar have already visited Ukraine to study the practical experience gained during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This expertise in identifying and intercepting low-cost suicide drones has become a significant point of interest for regional security.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously stated that "Ukraine received 11 requests from Iran's neighbors, European countries, and the US regarding security support in countering Iranian Shahed UAVs."
He noted that these nations are specifically interested in the methods used by Ukrainian forces, including interception tools, electronic warfare systems, and specialized training programs.
On March 9, Ukraine deployed a team of specialists and interceptor drones to Jordan. This mission aims to protect American military bases from drone threats by utilizing tactics developed on the Ukrainian battlefield.
Strengthening the defense of US facilities in Jordan is viewed as a strategic priority as regional tensions expand. For Ukraine, these partnerships serve as a platform to demonstrate the operational effectiveness of its homegrown interceptor technologies.
The United States had declined a Ukrainian proposal nearly seven months ago to adopt battle-tested technology designed to intercept Iranian-made Shahed attack drones.
The proposal was later reconsidered after Iran launched a larger-than-expected wave of drone attacks during the war in the Middle East.
According to an Axios report from March 10, Ukrainian officials had prepared a presentation explaining how Ukraine’s counter-drone systems could have protected American forces and allied bases in the region.
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