Ukraine Expands Drone Defense Partnerships After Iran Conflict

Ukraine has signed security partnerships and drone technology agreements with several countries in recent months. U.S. and Israel conflict with Iran that began in February. In late March, Ukraine signed security partnerships with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Last month, Ukraine reached defense and drone deals with Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands. This month, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Bahrain with a drone defense deal and security partnership proposal. Last week, Ukraine and Germany agreed to jointly develop long-range drones that could reach nearly 1,000 miles.

Gulf states have shown interest in Ukraine's interceptor drones after Iran used Shahed drones against regional targets. Ukrainian officials report that more than 90 percent of drones were intercepted in a recent Russian attack, though about one in four missiles got through.

Ukraine and Qatar agreed on a partnership in the defense sector for at least 10 years. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also held a phone call with Chile's president to discuss Ukrainian drones for border surveillance.

The United States is in early negotiations with Ukraine on a new bilateral defense agreement. U.S. defense companies for drone development and manufacturing.