Ukraine Signs Historic “Drone Deal” With Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and UAE

Ukraine has officially signed three major security documents, collectively known as the “Drone Deal,” with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed during an interview with CNN on April 22.

The agreements will be implemented through a series of contracts involving both the Ukrainian government and private defense sectors.

The deals aim to export Ukraine’s battle-tested experience in intercepting unmanned aerial threats, particularly the Iranian-designed Shahed loitering munitions frequently utilized by Russia and Iranian-backed groups.

“We are ready to deliver results,” Zelenskyy stated. “First is our experience. Second is training missions and software for integrating various military equipment into a single system. And inexpensive drones and joint production lines to manufacture them.”

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The President emphasized the extreme cost-effectiveness of Ukraine’s rapidly developing drone interception technology compared to traditional Western air defense systems.

“A ‘Shahed’ can cost between $80,000 and $130,000. It will be destroyed not by a missile costing $3-4 million, but by an interceptor costing $10,000,” Zelenskyy explained. “We want to help them defend themselves. And we will continue to build such partnerships with other countries.”

Zelenskyy also stressed that Ukraine intends to share these technological breakthroughs and tactical blueprints with the United States as a gesture of gratitude for Washington’s military assistance.

“I believe all of this should also be shared with the US,” he concluded. “I will be proud if we succeed, because we are very grateful to the US for its support.”

Zelenskyy had previously conducted a series of working visits across the region—including stops in Jordan, Türkiye, and Syria—to lock in 10-year defense and energy agreements. According to an earlier statement by Zelenskyy, at least 11 countries have now expressed interest in acquiring Ukrainian drone technology.

The “Drone Deal” initiative envisions at least 10 different agreements for weapons exports and the establishment of joint manufacturing lines both in Ukraine and abroad, backed by secured foreign investment.

Outside the Gulf states and the Caucasus, Kyiv is already leveraging its combat experience to launch similar drone co-production projects with several European partners, including Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.

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