Ukrainian Specialists Shoot Down Multiple Shahed Drones in the Middle East

Ukrainian specialists deployed in Middle Eastern countries have already used interceptor drones to shoot down several Iranian-made Shahed attack drones in one of the countries in the region.

BBC News Ukraine reported on this, citing its own sources.

Drone manufacturers interviewed by BBC News Ukraine said they have already received dozens of business offers from countries in the Persian Gulf and across the Middle East, as well as from intermediaries.

All of them are interested in exporting tens of thousands of Ukrainian interceptor drones to the region and are ready to pay higher prices than on the Ukrainian market.

According to the media, at least two major manufacturers of interceptor drones have already submitted the relevant applications to the interagency commission on military-technical cooperation policy and export control.

These applications must first be reviewed by the commission and then approved by the State Export Control Service (SECS). It is noted that the applications are currently “on hold” – there is neither approval nor a direct ban on exports from the state.

Some manufacturers have withdrawn from further negotiations, citing a letter from the Security Service of Ukraine, sent to companies in early March, which stated a ban on exporting weapons to the Middle East and warned of possible criminal liability for violating this directive.

A representative of one of the manufacturers that applied for a UAV export permit told the publication, on condition of anonymity, that in his opinion, the authorities are deliberately blocking the possibility of selling Ukrainian interceptor drones abroad.

“The President has already outlined his conditions for drone sales and, apparently, believes that without meeting these conditions, no exports can take place,” the source said.

Meanwhile, he believes that delays by the authorities in opening up exports could lead to a loss of interest from potential buyers or cause them to shift to other markets offering similar products.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine has already deployed 228 specialists to intercept Shahed drones in Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Jordan.

He also stated that Ukraine is actively conducting technical cooperation with Middle Eastern countries – both at the level of defense ministries and directly with state leaders – to conclude defense agreements.

The President clarified that he would not disclose details of the mission. Meanwhile, according to Intelligence Online, in exchange for assistance with interceptor drones, Ukraine is asking Qatar to transfer 12 used Mirage 2000-5EDA fighter jets.

Additionally, the President previously noted that Ukraine is ready to share interceptor drones with its Middle Eastern partners in exchange for missiles for Patriot air defense systems.