Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has secured 10-year defence cooperation agreements with Qatar and the UAE, deals he says are worth billions for Ukrainian exporters.
KYIV: President Volodymyr Zelensky announced a series of major defence agreements during a diplomatic tour of Gulf nations. The deals focus on countering missile and drone threats, leveraging Ukraine’s hard-won expertise.
Ukraine and Qatar signed a 10-year defence pact on Saturday. The Qatari defence ministry said it includes collaboration in technology, joint investments, and sharing expertise to counter missiles and drones.
Earlier the same day, Zelensky said Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates had also agreed to cooperate on security and defence. He stated that teams from both countries would finalise the details of their own strategic agreement.
“We are talking about a 10-year cooperation,” Zelensky told reporters at a briefing. He confirmed similar 10-year pacts had been signed with Saudi Arabia earlier in the week and would be finalised with the UAE.
The president described the contracts with the three Middle Eastern nations as being worth “billions”. He emphasised the financial benefit for Ukrainian defence exporters, stating, “everyone will earn, Ukraine will earn”.
“Over these 10 years we will be engaged in co-production, building plants in both countries – production lines in Ukraine as well as in these countries,” Zelensky added. He did not provide specific details on what systems would be manufactured.
Kyiv has positioned itself as a global leader in drone warfare and air defence since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. Ukrainian drone manufacturers have received numerous requests from the Middle East following recent regional conflicts.
Ukraine has deployed anti-drone experts to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar during Zelensky’s tour. The president met with these teams, stating they were working to help protect lives in the Gulf.
“Today, Ukraine not only needs assistance but is also ready to support those who support us,” Zelensky said. He argued that Ukraine has “undoubtedly changed the geopolitical situation” with its defence capabilities.
Analysts suggest Zelensky’s trip aims to secure both financial resources and support for Ukraine’s defence industry. One potential outcome could involve Gulf nations exchanging advanced air-defence missiles for Ukrainian drone technology.
“Neither the US, nor Europe, nor the Middle East are prepared for drone warfare,” a Ukrainian drone unit commander told AFP recently. The commander spoke on condition of anonymity.
Ukraine has proposed trading its interceptors for more expensive missiles like the Patriot system. Kyiv says it needs these to defend against near-daily Russian missile and drone attacks on its cities.
The Sun Malaysia
