Ukraine has signed a new defence agreement with Qatar, a day after concluding a similar pact with Saudi Arabia, as Gulf nations seek to tap Kyiv’s expertise in drone warfare.
The agreement includes “collaboration in technological fields, development of joint projects, defence investments, and the exchange of expertise in countering missiles and unmanned aerial systems,” a statement from Qatar’s foreign ministry said.
Posting on X earlier following a meeting with Qatari officials, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, "I met with the Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha. The Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, was also present at the meeting. We discussed issues that could further strengthen the protection of life in both countries and agreed on a mutually beneficial partnership in the defense sector for at least 10 years. Following the meeting, our Chiefs of the General Staff signed an agreement, which provides for joint defence industry projects, the establishment of co-production facilities, and technological partnerships between companies."
Earlier on Saturday, Zelenskyy, during an unannounced series of visits to Gulf nations, said Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates had agreed to cooperate on defence, particularly in response to drones launched by Iran following US-Israeli strikes.
Ukraine also signed an air defence agreement with Saudi Arabia during Zelenskyy’s visit to the kingdom, two senior officials told AFP on Friday.
Kyiv has been seeking to leverage its experience in countering Russian drones to support Gulf nations, and has deployed anti-drone specialists to all three countries Zelensky has visited during his diplomatic tour.
After meetings in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, Zelensky travelled to the UAE, where he held talks with Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
"We agreed to cooperate in the field of security and defence. Our teams will finalise the details. For all normal states, it is important to ensure stability and protect lives amid today's threats. Ukraine has relevant expertise in this area," Zelenskyy said through a post on social media.
Ukraine has promoted its anti-drone capabilities as among the most advanced in the world.
It has proposed swapping its drone interceptors for the significantly more expensive air-defence missiles used by Gulf nations to shoot down Iranian drones, saying it needs more of these systems to counter near-daily Russian missile strikes.
