Zelensky: 11 countries, including US, Gulf states, tap Ukraine for expertise against Iranian drones

Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Monday that 11 nations have formally requested Ukraine's expertise in neutralising Iranian-manufactured drones, which Tehran has deployed across the Middle East in retaliatory strikes against U.S. and Israeli targets.

Ukraine has emerged as a global leader in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) defence, having refined its tactics during years of nightly aerial bombardments by Russian forces utilising similar Iranian-designed platforms.

"As of now, there are 11 requests from countries neighbouring Iran, European states, and the US. There is clear interest in Ukraine's experience in protecting lives, relevant interceptors, electronic warfare systems, and training," Zelensky said.

While the president did not name the specific nations seeking assistance, he confirmed over the weekend that Ukrainian drone specialists are already travelling to the Middle East and are expected to arrive this week.

The Ukrainian leader has proposed a strategic exchange: providing Kyiv’s specialised drone interceptors, autonomous craft built to destroy incoming threats mid-air, in return for the advanced air defence missiles currently in short supply within the Ukrainian arsenal.

Data from the Ukrainian Air Force indicates a consistent success rate, with the military neutralising more than 80 per cent of the hundreds of Russian drones launched against its territory each night. Kyiv’s multi-layered defence strategy integrates cost-effective interceptor drones, electronic jamming technology, anti-aircraft artillery, and a fleet of fighter jets and helicopters to maintain its domestic airspace security.

With inputs from AFP