Ukraine and Saudi Arabia Forge Defence Partnership Amid Iranian Attacks

AI Summary

Ukraine has signed a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, marking a significant partnership between the two nations. The deal, announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, aims to enhance cooperation in defence technology and investment. This development comes as Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, face increased attacks from Iran, which has been targeted by the US and Israel. Ukraine, experienced in countering drone attacks from Russia, is poised to share its expertise with Saudi Arabia.

Ukraine has announced a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, described by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a mutually beneficial arrangement. The deal, which lays the groundwork for future contracts and technological cooperation, was made ahead of a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Zelenskyy stated that the agreement will facilitate technological cooperation and investment between the two nations. Saudi Arabia has not officially confirmed the pact.

The partnership comes at a time when Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, are under attack by Iran. Since the US and Israel began their military campaign against Tehran on February 28, Riyadh has intercepted hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles. On Friday, the Saudi defence ministry reported that at least six missiles were intercepted.

Ukraine, which has long battled Russian drones, is well-positioned to assist Gulf countries in countering Iranian attacks. Kyiv has become a major producer of cheap but efficient interceptor drones to counter Moscow's waves of drone attacks. In one of Russia's largest wartime aerial attacks on Ukraine, it launched 948 drones within 24 hours, killing two people.

“This winter alone, Russia launched over 19,000 drones into Ukraine, just to give some perspective on how much experience they do have in shooting down drones,” said Al Jazeera’s Audrey MacAlpine, reporting from Kyiv. Ukraine has deployed 201 anti-drone experts to the Middle East to assist in the defence against Iranian attacks.