Iranian authorities reportedly maintain tens of thousands of Shahed drones in underground production facilities, as shown in recently released footage, signaling potential long-term deployment of these weapons. The drones have been deployed this week in several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, reflecting the expansion of conflict in the region amid ongoing tensions.
In Ukraine, drone technology has been utilized on battlefields since Russia's full-scale invasion began four years ago. Now, Ukrainians are offering a cost-effective solution: interceptor drones, such as the P1-SUN model from private manufacturer Skyfall, which are 3D-printed and can travel up to 310 km/h. This system, born out of necessity, aims to counter drones worth around $50,000, in contrast to million-dollar air-defense missiles used in recent Gulf attacks.
Ukraine's expertise is unique, as the country has suffered extensive damage from Iranian-made Shahed drones (renamed Geran-3 by Russia). Over the winter alone, Russia launched more than 19,000 attack drones at Ukraine, and in 2025, Moscow deployed 54,000 Shahed-type drones. A Skyfall spokesperson stated, "We've been dealing with this problem for more than four years already. We know all the types of Shaheds that Russia deploys."
Kyiv is now offering this hard-earned experience to foreign partners. Since Monday, Ukraine has provided assistance to partners seeking affordable air-defense technologies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X that the US had requested help in dealing with drones in the Middle East. The Skyfall spokesperson warned bluntly, "They have to understand that the interceptor drones are parts of the defense strategy of every country, and it has to be implemented right now."
This development comes as the Iran war began over the weekend, coinciding with planned peace talks between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi. Battlefield lessons are no longer confined to Ukraine, as a new, wider war engulfs the Middle East involving the US, Israel, and Iran, with Kyiv emerging as an unlikely source of solutions amid the escalating conflict.
Source: www.aljazeera.com