Iran war shockwaves push Saudi Arabia to strike security deal with Ukraine

Key Points:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Ukraine's readiness to share its drone defense expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia to strengthen protection against ballistic missile and drone attacks, similar to those Iran is conducting in the Middle East and Gulf region.
• Ukraine has developed effective countermeasures against massive drone swarms, using affordable interceptor drones, and has deployed over 200 drone-countering experts to Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, with more experts heading to Jordan and Kuwait.
• Zelenskyy highlighted that Gulf countries possess advanced missile systems like PAC-3 but lack experience in countering short-range drone attacks such as those from Iranian "Shahed" drones, and Ukraine seeks to exchange its interceptor drones and expertise for these missile systems.
• Ukraine is preparing further agreements with Middle Eastern and Gulf countries to establish mutually beneficial partnerships combining Ukraine’s drone defense technology and the region’s financial resources to enhance regional and global security.
• Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine’s contribution to drone defense in the Gulf is not only a regional security boost but also a significant step toward global security amid ongoing conflicts involving Iran and Russia.