Ukraine looks to leverage its help to Gulf states fighting Iran drones in exchange for interceptors - Fortune
Quick Insights
The Bottom Line
Ukraine is trading drone-defense expertise gained in its war for air defense interceptors from Gulf states.
AI Summary
Ukraine is seeking to trade its combat experience and expertise in defending against Iranian drones with Gulf state allies in exchange for air defense interceptors. Ukrainian forces have developed specialized knowledge battling Iranian-supplied drones in their war against Russia, making that operational intelligence valuable to regional powers facing similar threats from Iran. The deal would help Ukraine replenish its depleted air defense systems while allowing Gulf nations—likely Saudi Arabia and the UAE—to benefit from Ukraine's real-world tactics and technical insights. This represents a strategic pivot by Kyiv to convert its battlefield experience into concrete military aid from partners who have both the resources and incentive to counter Iranian drone proliferation. The arrangement reflects how the Ukraine conflict has created new geopolitical alignments, with nations seeking solutions to shared security challenges posed by Iranian weapons.
Following this story?
Get notified when new coverage appears
This article is part of a story we're tracking:
Should this be getting more attention?
You Might Have Missed
Related stories from different sources and perspectives
GlobalGulf allies privately make the case to Trump to keep fighting until Iran is decisively defeated - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiogFBVV95cUxQRF9zNDJxTXc3eEllNUVPSTcxUnRmRHJBM0M1NmJTazRrVTJjRkJreW5HSlJwTlNXaHZmQ3puNEI1Q1ZQV2dySEFZYzJETVczalJyQWNSUlpIQXJDTWYxRnFQc0Vfai1TOTNRMWgtTjdxbHJMZU5wMkt1WEM0T2pBR1V1d0xmN08wMjU2Z3Frc2hXRnl5R3FMQnFlQ2FzMml2U1E?oc=5" target="_blank">Gulf allies privately make the case to Trump to keep fighting until Iran is decisively defeated</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
GlobalG7 allies meet against backdrop of wars in Ukraine and Iran, with unpredictable US - Reuters
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMivAFBVV95cUxOS0hsMVl2STZQYkZWa0o1RDloVFBOZnQ2M1pNQ1VxTjZNUmZ2OGtaV1BWNGU2dmN2N3dLR2V6OXJicGRGLUpac2RtRjRRaGVHZktQOVNQMnhXdkttZFFJOVJkYXY3Z3BUZXpycmcyNURBSjFyQXVzZlplY0taYUNYQ1pYY01Rdk1jeGlfSjhHS2pUeHRLc3lxME5xbFZhWEE3UkFQVUJlTk10UVVjSVdkNjBwOUUtbnF4QVFlTg?oc=5" target="_blank">G7 allies meet against backdrop of wars in Ukraine and Iran, with unpredictable US</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>
GlobalIran war deflects attention from Ukraine as an emboldened Russia starts spring offensive - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimwFBVV95cUxNbVo0M2h1ZUlmalZmdno2UkhIc2tTODloZWdZYllVWGVkU0M5NkNzbnNFVno5d1drRDBfaTRnRmhUQk1aOXgyN21CbXdIOUhEWHZiNk9pTUtpT2U1RjZWclpKMjZkMTRhRXlOUWxzWkdWaW91VHAwUlF3Y0UyVzRQTGlYR0N5SjlKOE4zT2xKX0kwWERkRmJWTlU5bw?oc=5" target="_blank">Iran war deflects attention from Ukraine as an emboldened Russia starts spring offensive</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font><strong><a href="https://news.google.com/stories/CAAqNggKIjBDQklTSGpvSmMzUnZjbmt0TXpZd1NoRUtEd2pIeTVmZUVCR0Jud0hQc0lsUUpTZ0FQAQ?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US:en&oc=5" target="_blank">View Full Coverage on Google News</a></strong>
National SecurityOne month into Iran war, some Trump objectives are unfulfilled as he looks to wind down the conflict - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMilgFBVV95cUxQNDhWWHl5dy1sZ0RMWjlsam9BMHQwaDhJaHRmRUE0blotRlRUbGxDcTM2QjBrdlIwRjRlWEpmaVBCQ1NXbGlHQm4zZDRiQUlpS3NyYVRXajdQUmNfYms2V1g0V1pxMjY2S3ZUVXZlcTZQMWNJRjIySi1ZOXVuRVJ0NFJZV0dSU1E4Y0tUdGZSYWNuQ25fOWc?oc=5" target="_blank">One month into Iran war, some Trump objectives are unfulfilled as he looks to wind down the conflict</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
TechnologyUkraine's drone defense tech reshapes combat as warfare evolves
Earlier this month, President Trump told journalists he didn't want Ukraine's assistance with drone defense, saying Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was the last person he'd ever ask for help. But during the Iran war, Gulf countries have been lining up to request Ukraine's guidance on how to counter drones. Special correspondent Simon Ostrovsky reports from Ukraine.
GlobalBab al-Mandab strait: Iran’s Houthi allies enter the conflict, raising fears over key trade route
As Iran’s Houthi allies enter the conflict, Iran has threatened to disrupt shipping in the Bab al-Mandab Strait – a strategic waterway linking the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal – with the help of its Houthi allies in Yemen. While disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz primarily affect Asia, blocking access to the Gulf of Aden could affect European energy supplies and imports from Asia.
Trump threatens to destroy Iran's desalination plants. Here’s what that could mean for the Mideast - AP News
<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiowFBVV95cUxNbEVCYW5qYUdxR3NzckpSeXBTd0lNV3cyMzdnSWJuOGYwOE9nSDh4ck9uMUh3N0duTUtndjlYNTNjQWJaU2Z6anc4MVNUS2x4aXpHdF9QZnZiZVNxTER1WktTQTdkWkxtOWJLc0E3Q2s4T3BkV0ZtVWY5bnFJdjV3NkxIbGRfRjlNSWY3QjdzNDcxRzl2RmYyWVk3OFRKUUVONVdV?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump threatens to destroy Iran's desalination plants. Here’s what that could mean for the Mideast</a> <font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>
Did this story change how you see things?
Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.
The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.
See our sourcesMost Read This Week
Senate deal reached to cap insulin costs
'The gravest crime against humanity': What does the UN vote on slavery mean?
Pentagon will remove media offices after judge reinstates NYT's press credentials
At Pentagon Christian service, Hegseth prays for violence 'against those who deserve no mercy'
After 16 years and $8 billion, the military's new GPS software still doesn't work
