Ukraine has dispatched interceptor drones and a team of experts to bolster security at American military installations in Jordan. This move follows a request from the United States made on March 5, with Ukrainian officials confirming that the team departed for the Middle East the very next day.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the team is expected to arrive in the region shortly. He emphasized the swift response, saying, “We reacted immediately. I said, of course, we will send our experts.”
While Ukraine aims to assist Middle Eastern nations, Zelensky noted the importance of balancing such requests with Ukraine’s own needs. In the days following the onset of the U.S.-Israel conflict in Iran, Zelensky received calls from leaders in Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia seeking assistance.
The president warned that the war in Iran could disrupt the supply of critical defense weapons needed by Ukraine. In response, Kyiv has proposed exchanging its interceptor drones for more advanced systems necessary to counter Russian ballistic missiles.
Additionally, Ukraine expressed its willingness to support Middle Eastern countries in return for diplomatic backing aimed at urging Russia toward a ceasefire.
Ukraine’s interceptor drones, which are relatively inexpensive, typically cost only a few thousand dollars. In contrast, the PAC-3 missiles used by the Patriot air defense system can reach around $4 million each. Reports indicate that the U.S. and at least one other Gulf nation, later identified as Qatar, are in negotiations to acquire these Ukrainian drones to effectively counter Iranian Shahed drones.
Ukraine has sent interceptor drones and a team of experts to Jordan to assist U.S. military bases following a request from the U.S. amid rising tensions in the region. This initiative highlights Ukraine's strategic balancing act between regional support and its own defense needs.