U.S. Seeks Ukraine’s Expertise Against Iranian Drones

Ukraine’s experience defending against Iranian-designed Shahed drones is drawing new attention as the conflict involving Iran expands in the Middle East.

According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the United States has asked Ukraine for assistance in helping Gulf allies defend against drone attacks.

Ukraine has spent years confronting waves of Shahed drones launched by Russian forces during the war, forcing Kyiv to develop new ways to detect and intercept the unmanned aircraft.

That battlefield experience has made Ukraine one of the most experienced countries in dealing with the threat posed by these relatively cheap but difficult-to-intercept drones.

Zelensky said Ukraine could provide equipment and specialists to help partners defend military bases and civilian infrastructure from drone strikes. However, he emphasized that any assistance would only happen if it does not weaken Ukraine’s own air defenses.

Kyiv is also exploring potential military cooperation with Gulf countries including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait. Zelensky suggested Ukraine could even exchange interceptor drones for additional U.S. Patriot air defense systems, which Kyiv needs to defend against Russian ballistic missiles.