Ukraine struck its first-ever defence deal in the Gulf on Thursday, signing an agreement with Saudi Arabia as Kyiv exports its battle-tested drone defences to a region under threat from Iranian attacks.
The arrangement was signed in Jeddah during Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit, as Kyiv moves to deepen ties beyond Europe and position itself as a global security partner.
Kyiv said the document “lays the foundation for future contracts, technological cooperation, and investment,” while strengthening Ukraine’s role as a provider of defence expertise.
Following talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Zelensky said Ukraine is ready to share its systems and experience to help Saudi Arabia counter aerial threats.
“For five years now, Ukrainians have been resisting the same kind of attacks—ballistic missiles and drones—that the Iranian regime is now carrying out in the Middle East,” he said.
He added that Saudi Arabia also possesses capabilities of interest to Ukraine, pointing to a potential two-way exchange of technology and resources.
The cooperation is already underway, with Ukrainian anti-drone specialists deployed in the Gulf to share frontline experience and operational know-how.
Zelensky said Ukraine’s expertise is increasingly in demand, as countries facing similar threats look to replicate its success in countering drone and missile attacks.
