Fire ignited at the impact site following an Iranian missile strike, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in central Israel, March 13, 2026. Photo: REUTERS/Gideon Markowicz
As the US-Israeli war with Iran reshapes regional security dynamics, Ukraine is leveraging its battlefield-honed drone defense expertise to assist US allies in the Gulf, potentially strengthening its diplomatic standing and shifting the balance of power, experts say. The turmoil in the Middle East has opened a new chapter in international defense collaboration, with Ukraine stepping into a role that may redefine its strategic relevance on the global stage.
Earlier this week, a team of around 200 Ukrainian military experts arrived in the Middle East to provide both “expertise” and “practical support” in countering Iranian drones. This initiative marks a significant shift in how Ukraine is not only defending its sovereignty but also influencing security in other regions grappling with similar threats from aerial warfare.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that specialized units have already been deployed in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, with additional personnel en route to Kuwait. This proactive approach facilitates better coordination with these Gulf nations and enhances collective defense mechanisms against aerial threats.
Since the start of the war last month, Ukraine has actively offered its technology and personnel to Middle Eastern partners to assist in countering Iranian drones. This positioning reflects Ukraine’s ambition to emerge as a key strategic player amid shifting diplomatic alliances and emerging conflicts.
Zelenskyy emphasized that he had instructed government officials “to present options for assisting the relevant countries” while maintaining focus on Ukraine’s own critical defense requirements amid its ongoing war with Russia. The delicate balance needed to sustain defense efforts both at home and abroad showcases Ukraine’s calculated approach in the face of adversity.
“Ukrainian experts will operate on-site, and teams are already coordinating these efforts,” Zelenskyy stated. This hands-on collaboration signifies a commitment to not only transfer knowledge but also actively engage in the execution of drone defense strategies.
A notable component of the Ukrainian delegation includes military, intelligence, and defense officials, notably National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, who are working to finalize what has been termed “concrete agreements.” This thorough diplomatic engagement aims to solidify the foundation for ongoing security collaborations.
“Ukraine has the greatest experience in the world in countering attack drones,” Zelenskyy asserted. He reiterated that knowledge transfer is essential for the Gulf region and for allied nations in Europe and America to establish robust defensive frameworks against Iranian aggression.
According to John Hardie, Deputy Director of the Russia Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Ukraine possesses “unmatched experience” in creating and improving cost-effective systems that can counteract the one-way attack drones widely utilized by Iran. This capability underscores the significant role that Ukraine can play in enhancing the security architectures of allied nations.
The Iranian regime has been supplying Russia with drones throughout the war in Ukraine. This interlinked military relationship poses risks not only to Ukraine but also to US forces in the Gulf, as both regimes increasingly collaborate on military technology and intelligence-sharing.
This evolving situation emphasizes the urgency for the US and its Middle Eastern allies to utilize Ukraine’s hard-earned expertise. Hardie affirms that “replicating Ukrainian solutions at scale won’t happen overnight,” but the presence of Ukrainian forces in the Gulf is a promising prelude to the implementation of advanced drone defense technologies.
When the United States and Israel launched coordinated airstrikes on Iran on February 28, Tehran struck back rapidly, employing missiles and long-range drones against military and civilian targets in adjacent countries. This prompt retaliation exemplifies the escalating nature of the geopolitical situation, where every move is met with swift countermeasures.
In the early days of the conflict, Iran unleashed over 500 ballistic missiles and more than 2,000 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) designed for both surveillance and strike operations. This onslaught highlights the scale and intensity of threats regional nations face, emphasizing the need for reinforced defensive strategies.
While Iranian ballistic missile launches have decreased due to sustained U.S. and Israeli strikes, its drone operations have posed significant challenges for air defenses in the region. The low-cost nature of these systems allows them to evade conventional detection and defense mechanisms, resulting in a persistent threat to both military and civilian infrastructure.
Countries within the region are finding it increasingly challenging to protect against Iranian drones, which target a diverse array of sites — from economic centers to civilian populations. This evolving threat landscape necessitates innovative responses to boost defensive capabilities.
According to Jason Campbell, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, Ukraine has transformed counter-drone warfare from an expensive and complex process into one characterized by manageable and easily replicable tactics and technologies. The ongoing US-Israeli conflict underscores the urgent need for these developments, as it becomes clear that high-tech missile defense systems alone cannot comprehensively address the diverse threats posed.
After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Iran began supplying drones to the Kremlin, utilizing low-cost systems to augment Russia’s long-range strike capabilities. This relationship has allowed Iran to enhance its drone technology while also providing Russia with fresh tactics learned from the battlefield experience against Ukraine.
Throughout years of conflict, Ukraine has substantially refined its counter-drone strategy, increasingly relying on interceptor drones that effectively identify and neutralize incoming threats. This innovative shift in approach has drawn the attention of major international partners, elevating Ukraine’s status in security discussions across the Gulf.
There are reports indicating that Saudi Arabia is preparing a significant contract with Ukrainian companies to procure interceptor drones. This potential agreement could strengthen the defense landscape in the Gulf and offer Ukraine a competitive foothold in international defense markets.
Zelenskyy has further suggested that Ukraine could engage in exchanges of technology, proposing a trade of specialized interceptor drones for advanced air defense systems like the Patriot missiles. Such exchanges illustrate the increasingly interconnected nature of global defense strategies, with nations working collaboratively to enhance their respective capabilities.
Insights into the shifting defense dynamics suggest that Russia may view Ukraine’s burgeoning military partnerships with skepticism, seeing them as detrimental to its own objectives. As Ukraine firmly establishes its role as a critical security ally for the Gulf states and the US, the broader implications for regional security and international relations continue to unfold.
As various nations navigate their defense requirements against emerging threats from Iran, the successful integration of Ukrainian drone defense technology could serve multiple interests — boosting Ukraine’s operational resilience while simultaneously fortifying the defenses of its partners in the Gulf. This strategy not only aims at enhancing regional stability but also solidifies Ukraine’s place in the evolving geopolitical landscape.