The U.S. and Qatar are in talks with Ukraine to obtain its interceptor drones to counter Iranian Shahed UAVs, according to Reuters.
The discussions reportedly involve government officials and focus on technology that detects incoming enemy drones and disrupts their communications. Both the U.S. and Qatar declined to comment on the report.
The talks are taking place amid ongoing clashes between the U.S. and Iran.
A joint U.S.-Israel operation on Saturday, that resulted in the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, prompted Iran to retaliate by targeting U.S. assets across the Middle East.
On Thursday evening, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the U.S. is asking Ukraine for help defending against Iranian Shahed drones. “I have ordered that the necessary resources be provided, with Ukrainian specialists on hand to ensure proper security,” he said, without mentioning Ukrainian interceptor drones.
In an address earlier this week, Zelenskyy said he spoke with officials from other Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE and Qatar, who are seeking Ukraine’s drone expertise.
“At the level of our teams – the Ukrainian team, the teams of the Emirates and Qatar, and other states – we will determine how, together, we can provide stronger protection for life,” Zelenskyy said. “Ukraine’s expertise in countering Shahed drones is currently the most advanced in the world, and these drones represent the primary challenge in that region as well. It is clear why so many requests are directed to Ukraine.”
Zelenskyy said any cooperation would proceed only if it did not compromise Ukraine’s defenses against Russia’s ongoing invasion. “Russian strikes continue, and protecting Ukrainian lives remains our first priority,” Zelenskyy added.
