Ten-year deals Kyiv has reached with three Gulf countries will see Ukrainian companies help protect critical facilities, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
About 200 Ukrainian military experts were sent to the Middle East shortly after the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran. to help protect neighboring countries against Iranian retaliatory attacks, especially those using long-range drones.
The move to send active military personnel abroad, despite relentless Russian attacks on the country, had initially drawn criticism, but also led to discussion for allowing the creation of a new sector: private military contractors.
Currently, Ukraine does not allow former military personnel to become private defense contractors for foreign entities. Zelenskyy’s step, allowing Ukrainian companies to advise foreign militaries, can be seen as the first step in this direction.
“Ukrainian companies will work with the armed forces of these countries to protect specific facilities,” Zelenskyy said said in a social media post on Friday.
The president will now negotiate the “volumes, services and types of weaponry” for which Ukraine will be paid in various forms, such as interceptors, crude oil, oil or financial contributions.
The agreements are said to have been made with Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, with Zelenskyy saying further contracts are being discussed with Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Down Shahed’s
Zelenskyy too confirmed that military experts sent to the Middle East not only advised local armed forces on interceptor drones and electronic warfare, but also shot down Iranian Shahed long-range drones.
“In those countries that opened up their air defense systems to us, our experts were able to advise very quickly on how to make those systems stronger,” Zelenskyy said. “In some cases, we directly shared our experience in actual defense.”
Ukraine’s expertise in drone defense and its innovative technology against this new type of warfare has been in high demand since Iran struck many countries in the area with its long-range suicide drones.
Originally exported to Russia in its war against Ukraine, Moscow quickly advanced fixed-wing drones, leading to a technological race with Ukraine.
In March, Ukraine knocked over 33,000 Russian drones – twice as many as in February.
Ukraine lays the groundwork for private military contractors
Ukraine’s deep well of military knowledge and first-hand combat experience may soon create…
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