Saudi Arabia and Ukraine deepen defence ties with new air defence agreement

Saudi Arabia and Ukraine have signed a new air defence cooperation agreement during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as both sides look to strengthen their capabilities against drone threats.

The agreement, confirmed by senior officials, focuses on helping Saudi Arabia build and enhance its air defence systems using Ukraine’s battlefield experience. Kyiv has developed extensive expertise in countering Iranian-designed Shahed drones, which have been widely used by Russia in attacks on Ukrainian cities.

Officials said the deal goes beyond supplying interceptors and includes building an integrated defence system. This involves combining multiple technologies such as electronic jamming, anti-aircraft systems, and data-driven tools including artificial intelligence to detect and neutralise aerial threats.

Ukraine has increasingly positioned itself as a leader in counter-drone warfare, relying on a mix of low-cost interception methods and advanced tracking systems to defend against near-daily aerial attacks. It is now seeking to share that experience with Gulf countries facing similar threats.

As part of the cooperation, Ukraine is also looking to benefit from Saudi capabilities, particularly access to more advanced and expensive air defence missiles, which Kyiv says are crucial for countering larger-scale missile strikes.

During the visit, Zelensky met Mohammed bin Salman, where both sides agreed to expand defence collaboration. He described the arrangement as mutually beneficial, highlighting growing international interest in Ukraine’s military technologies and operational experience.

Separately, officials from both countries signed a memorandum of understanding on defence procurement in Jeddah. The document was signed by Saudi Assistant Minister of Defence Khaled Al-Biyari and Ukrainian Chief of the General Staff Andrii Hnatov, formalising the framework for future cooperation.