Ukraine and Saudi Arabia seal first Gulf defence deal amid Iran war

Published on 27/03/2026 Ukraine and Saudi Arabia signed a defence cooperation document as Kyiv seeks new partnerships and Middle Eastern countries need Ukraine’s drone- 12:39 GMT+1 • Updated 15:10countering expertise. Ukraine and Saudi Arabia agreed on the defence cooperation amid the Iran war and Tehran’s drone attacks against neighbouring countries, with Kyiv signing its first deal of the kind in the Gulf. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The arrangement was signed in Jeddah on Thursday during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Saudi Arabia, one month into the Iran war. Kyiv says the document “lays the foundation for future contracts, technological cooperation, and investment, while also strengthening Ukraine’s international role as a security donor.” “Through its expertise and technologies, our country will help Saudi Arabia enhance its capabilities to counter aerial threats.” Having met Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Zelenskyy said Ukraine is ready “to share its expertise and system to cooperate with Saudi Arabia in protecting lives.” “For five years now, Ukrainians have been resisting the same kind of terrorist attacks – ballistic missiles and drones – that the Iranian regime is currently carrying out in the Middle East and the Gulf region.” He admitted that Saudi Arabia “has capabilities that are of interest to Ukraine.” Zelenskyy did not provide more details during his visit. In his previous statements, he made it clear what Kyiv wants above all: air defence for Russia’s ballistic missiles. Zelenskyy also met with Ukrainian anti-drone experts who have been deployed to Saudi Arabia for over one week now. "Even in such a short time, Ukrainian experts were able to share extensive expertise," he said. "Ukraine's expertise is unique, and recognised as such, and that is why everyone is so interested in our technologies and experience." Ukraine has sent more than 200 of its own drone-countering experts to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Some 30 more were heading to Jordan and Kuwait, Zelenskyy told reporters via WhatsApp chat last week. His visit to the Gulf region comes at a moment of strength for Kyiv, as Ukraine's air defences achieved an impressive 97% interception rate against Russian drones in the latest Moscow attack. Gulf cooperation, a European security issue Speaking at theJoint Expeditionary Force (JEF) Summit in Helsinki on Thursday, Zelenskyy framed Ukraine’s engagement in the Gulf as a contribution to global security and energy stability. “This matters because energy security – and the cost of living, particularly in Europe – depends on their oil, gas and other resources, and stable global markets.” He also insisted that Europe should have “full capacity to produce all types of air defence systems and missiles for them,” including protection against drones, cruise missiles and ballistic threats. “We cannot rely on other partners’ industries. We must be confident in our own industry here in Europe," Zelenskyy said. His calls to ramp up Europe’s defence production and the new deals signed in the Gulf region come amid the reports that the US might redirect the military aid planned for Ukraine to the Middle East. This step would leave Ukraine’s air defence extremely vulnerable and exposed to the Russian ballistic missile attacks, which Moscow has intensified. Go to accessibility shortcuts