THAAD for Ukraine: Zelensky Discusses Efforts to Acquire Missile Defense Systems From Middle Eastern Countries

Ukraine hopes to acquire missile defense systems, including THAAD, currently deployed in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf region.

President Volodymyr Zelensky made this statement during a conversation with journalists, according to a correspondent from Suspilne.

According to him, one aspect of security guarantees involves cooperation with countries in the Persian Gulf and the Middle East.

The President emphasized that Ukraine is interested in obtaining anti-ballistic systems, specifically THAAD, which are currently not available in European countries but are possessed by partners in this region.

According to Zelensky, the THAAD systems will make it possible to shoot down Russian aircraft dropping guided aerial bombs (GABs) on Ukrainian positions.

“It is very important that they be in Ukraine. Then, for example, the threat of Russian guided bombs simply would not exist in Ukraine. At least within a 200-kilometer radius, we would definitely eliminate this threat. Russian planes simply would not be able to fly in—and that’s it. We would like to receive answers to these questions. Moreover, we will propose our own vision of how this should be done. Then the American side will analyze all of this. Perhaps they will make some adjustments, or perhaps not, and will respond to us. We have agreed to do this in the near future. After that, we will try to organize meetings,” Zelensky added.

Prior to this, Ukraine established a defense partnership with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE.

American THAAD systems provide the capability to destroy short- and medium-range ballistic missiles along most of their trajectory—both during flight and in the terminal phase.

The THAAD is equipped with a kinetic warhead, which is significantly more effective than traditional fragmentation-high-explosive warheads, as it allows for a direct hit on the target and inflicts damage that prevents the missile from continuing its flight. THAAD missiles are capable of intercepting ballistic targets at altitudes of up to 150 km and ranges of up to 200 km.

The United States itself has seven THAAD batteries at its disposal, and their number is expected to be increased to eight as part of efforts to strengthen the Army’s missile defense.

In June 2016, the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces received two THAAD batteries. In 2017, the U.S. government approved the sale of seven THAAD systems to Saudi Arabia.

In March 2026, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE were subjected to Iranian strikes aimed at destroying American THAAD missile defense systems.