Ukraine has deployed interceptor drones and a team of anti-drone experts to safeguard US military bases in Jordan from Iran's lethal drones, announced President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Amid Iran's ongoing use of Shahed suicide drones in the Middle East, Zelensky mentioned that the US, Europe, and 11 neighboring nations of Iran have sought assistance on countering these explosive UAVs.
"We responded promptly," Zelensky informed the New York Times regarding the American request received last Thursday.
The Ukrainian President stated that Kyiv has dispatched interceptor drones and experts to protect US bases in Jordan. Additionally, the US is seeking Ukrainian experts to train troops in operating Merops interceptor drones.
Over the past four years, Ukraine has been combatting Iranian-designed attack drones, which have been adopted by Russia and mass-produced for daily attacks.
While the US possesses advanced Patriot interceptor missiles to counter aerial threats, these missiles are expensive and scarce. Zelensky estimated that over 800 missiles were used in the initial days of the conflict in the Middle East.
Notably, an Iranian drone strike on March 1 claimed the lives of six US soldiers in Kuwait, as intercepting the drone in time proved unfeasible for the US military and its allies.
Interceptor missiles cost over $3 million each to manufacture, approximately 60 times more than the cost of a single Shahed drone.
Ukraine, operating on a limited budget, has effectively countered Shahed drones. Zelensky has pledged to support any ally in need of assistance against Tehran.
"There is a significant interest in Ukraine's expertise in safeguarding lives, relevant interceptors, electronic warfare systems, and training," Zelensky stated. "Ukraine stands ready to positively respond to requests from those aiding us in protecting Ukrainian lives and independence."
The US is reportedly leveraging this expertise as it rushes to deploy counter-drone systems tested in Ukraine to the Middle East.
Merops drone killers, capable of speeds exceeding 180 mph and deployable from a pickup truck, are en route to the region. A team of Ukrainians is expected to train US soldiers in operating these UAVs, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
These counter UAVs, successful in Ukraine, are cost-effective, with production costs below $10,000 each, significantly lower than the price of the Shahed drones, according to a US military official.
While US officials have not yet provided details on the partnership with Ukrainian drone experts, previous statements by Trump indicate a willingness to accept assistance from allied nations in the conflict with Iran.
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