World • 2h ago
Ukraine wants cash, technology in return for helping Middle East nations fight drones
**Ukraine Offers Help to Middle East Nations in Exchange for Financial and Technological Support**
The ongoing conflict between Iran and Middle Eastern nations has led to a surge in the use of kamikaze drones, causing significant damage to oil tankers and other shipping vessels. In response, Gulf states have been scrambling to acquire air-defence missiles to counter this threat. Now, Ukraine, a country with extensive experience in countering drone attacks, is offering its expertise to help the Middle East nations defend themselves.
According to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, his country is willing to share its knowledge and capabilities with the Middle Eastern nations in exchange for financial and technological support. Zelensky revealed that Ukraine has already sent teams of experts to four countries in the region, where they will conduct assessments and demonstrate how to effectively counter drone attacks.
In Nigeria, we are familiar with the threat posed by drones, particularly in the Niger Delta region where oil facilities have been targeted by militants using similar technology. The expertise that Ukraine is offering could be invaluable to our own security agencies, which have been struggling to effectively counter the drone threat.
Ukraine's offer is also significant because it comes at a time when the country is seeking continued support from the United States in its ongoing conflict with Russia. Zelensky made it clear that Ukraine does not want its efforts to counter Iran's drone attacks to jeopardize its relationship with Washington.
The fact that almost a dozen countries have sought Ukraine's help in countering drone attacks speaks to the country's expertise in this area. With its experience in downing Russian drones using a range of technologies, including cheaper, smaller drones and jamming equipment, Ukraine is well-placed to assist the Middle East nations in their struggle against Iran's kamikaze drones.
In conclusion, Ukraine's offer to help Middle East nations counter drone attacks is a significant development in the region. As Nigeria continues to grapple with its own drone threat, this development is worth noting, and our security agencies could learn a thing or two from Ukraine's expertise in this area.