Saudi Aramco eager to buy Ukrainian interceptor drones
REUTERS/Dado Ruvic
Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil giant is negotiating a deal
to purchase Ukrainian interceptor drone technology to protect
its oil infrastructure from Iran, The Wall Street Journal reported
March 12, citing people familiar with the matter.
The sources said Aramco is racing to acquire the drones to get ahead of the Saudi government and regional competitors, especially Qatar. Company representatives are in talks with Ukrainian manufacturers SkyFall and Wild Hornets, the Journal reported.
“The companies make interceptor drones that smash into or explode near other drones,” the newspaper described the basic principle behind the low-cost air defense solution.
The Saudi government is also reportedly negotiating with Ukraine. The report cited another person familiar with the discussions as saying Saudi officials have held talks with Phantom Defense, which makes electronic warfare systems designed to jam drone communications.
It is unclear whether Ukrainian manufacturers have enough
production capacity to export UAVs or whether Kyiv will permit sales, as
Ukraine remains under constant Russian drone attacks.
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