The war in the Middle East is triggering a rush for Ukrainian drones

Ukrainian manufacturers of military drones are facing an unprecedented surge in demand from the Middle East, where recent conflicts have highlighted the central role of such technologies on the battlefield. Since the start of the war between Iran and its regional adversaries, both state and private actors have been stepping up their requests to Kyiv to acquire drone interception systems.

Over four years of war against Russia, Ukraine has profoundly transformed its defence industry. The country has developed unique operational and industrial expertise in drone production, particularly in systems capable of neutralising enemy drones in flight. These interceptors, often inexpensive and rapidly deployable, address a threat that has become ubiquitous, notably that posed by Shahed-type drones, which have been used extensively in several conflicts.

This growing expertise is now attracting the attention of Gulf states, which are themselves facing similar attacks. Government representatives, private companies and intermediaries are seeking to acquire these technologies, sometimes bypassing official channels. Ukrainian manufacturers report hundreds, even thousands, of enquiries, a sign of a rapidly expanding market and an urgent need on the part of buyers.

This momentum, however, faces a major constraint: since the start of the war, Ukraine has banned the export of military equipment in order to preserve its capabilities against Russia. The authorities are considering a partial opening, but this remains subject to political and strategic considerations. The Ukrainian government is seeking to turn this interest into a diplomatic lever by offering technical and military cooperation, particularly in the form of knowledge transfer rather than direct sales.

In line with this approach, Kyiv has already sent several hundred military experts to the Middle East to train partners and demonstrate the effectiveness of its systems. The aim is twofold: to strengthen alliances and, in return, secure financial and political support. For whilst demand is high, Ukrainian production remains underfunded, with industrial capacity still partially unused.

On the economic front, some Ukrainian stakeholders see this industry as a major strategic opportunity. The Ukrainian president himself compares drones to a key resource, comparable to oil in terms of economic potential. However, this outlook is tempered by several experts, who believe that Gulf countries may eventually favour more traditional air defence systems, despite the current interest in drones. France 24

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