Ukraine deploys air defense teams to Middle East to assist with Iranian drone threats

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Kyiv has dispatched three specialized air defense teams to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia to assist in countering Iranian aerial threats. Additionally, Ukrainian specialists have been deployed to the Muwaffaq Salti airbase in Jordan following a specific request made on March 5 to bolster protection for US facilities. The intervention aims to leverage Ukraine's extensive experience in countering Shahed-136 attack drones, which Russia has used in Ukraine over 57,000 times. Kyiv is deploying low-cost interceptor systems, such as the Sting missile, which costs approximately $2,000 per unit, to supplement expensive systems like the Patriot and Thaad that have seen high expenditure rates in the region. Zelensky noted that Ukraine has received 11 such requests for assistance from various nations, including European allies and the United States. While the White House has not confirmed the specific request for aid in Jordan, Zelensky stated that the deployed teams provide essential operators and software expertise. This support comes as Middle Eastern nations seek to preserve their limited stockpiles of high-cost interceptor missiles.