Kyiv says it has signed a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia while visiting the kingdom amid rising attacks in the Gulf.
What was agreed
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, announced on X that an "important arrangement" was made ahead of his meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Saudi state news agency reported that the two countries signed a memorandum on defence procurement.
Zelenskyy described the deal as a foundation for future contracts, technological cooperation, and investment, and said the partnership could be mutually beneficial.
Why Saudi Arabia is interested
Riyadh has been under frequent attacks since the United States and Israel struck targets in Iran on February 28. Saudi air defences have intercepted hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. The Saudi defence ministry said at least six missiles were intercepted on a recent Friday.
Those strikes have put civilians at risk across the Gulf. So far, 25 people have died in Gulf countries after the Iranian campaign, with two fatalities reported as recently as last Thursday in the United Arab Emirates.
What Ukraine brings to the table
Ukraine has gained a lot of practical experience countering drones after months of intense attacks from Russia. Kyiv has become a significant producer of low-cost, effective interceptor drones and has developed tactics and systems for air defence.
- Officials report that this winter alone Russia launched more than 19,000 drones into Ukraine, showing the scale of Kyiv's experience.
- In one recent wave, Russian forces launched 948 drones in 24 hours, an attack that killed two people in Ukraine.
Ukraine has already sent personnel to help. On March 18, Zelenskyy said 201 anti-drone experts were deployed to the Middle East to assist Gulf states in defending against Iranian attacks.
Challenges in the Gulf
Ukrainian air defence officials note the Middle East presents different technical and environmental hurdles, such as sandstorms. Yurii Cherevashenko, deputy commander of Ukraines Air Defence Cover Forces, said interception success often comes down to the skill of the pilot operating the interceptor systems.
Where this could lead
The memorandum on defence procurement is framed as the start of broader cooperation: future contracts, shared technology and investment. For Saudi Arabia, partnering with a country experienced in counter-drone operations offers practical help now. For Ukraine, the deal opens markets for its defence industry and strengthens ties with Gulf partners.
Given the ongoing regional tensions, expect technical exchanges, deployments, and procurement deals to follow if both sides decide the arrangement is indeed mutually beneficial.
