US and Gulf states in talks to buy Ukrainian interceptor drones - FT

The US and at least one Gulf state are discussing the purchase of Ukrainian interceptor drones to counter Iran's Shahed drones.

This was reported by the Financial Times, citing a source in the Ukrainian defense sector.

After the start of the US and Israeli military operation against Iran, the Gulf states have been using Patriot missiles to repel attacks by Iranian Shahed drones. One Shahed drone costs about USD 30,000, while a PAC-3 interceptor missile for the Patriot system costs more than USD 13.5 million.

Due to the active use of these missiles, their stocks are being reduced. In this regard, the states of the region are looking for alternative means of protection that will be cheaper.

According to the Financial Times interlocutor, negotiations with the Pentagon on Ukrainian interceptor drones are a "sensitive" topic.

"However, it is clear that there is a surge of interest in Ukrainian interceptor drones that can intercept Shahed at a very low price," he said.

The defense industry representative also noted that the sale of Ukrainian systems, even if they are manufactured outside Ukraine, requires approval from Kyiv.

What is known about Ukrainian assistance to allies in the Middle East

The Pentagon is discussing the rapid use of high-precision weapons during the US operation in Iran, which has raised questions about the volume of available stocks. First of all, we are talking about Patriot missiles and Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Iranian strike drones of the Shahed type pose a serious challenge to American air defense, which is not guaranteed to intercept all such targets.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he has instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Intelligence, Minister of Defense, Military Command, and Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council to prepare proposals to support states that seek assistance due to the threat of Iranian strike drones.