Saudi firm to buy Ukrainian interceptor drones
An interceptor drone (Photo: Wild Hornets / Telegram)
A Saudi company is preparing to purchase Ukrainian
interceptor drones to defend against Iranian UAVs, the Kyiv Independent reported
on March 10, citing a source in Ukraine’s defense industry.
The source said Saudi Arabia and Ukraine are negotiating a large arms deal that could be concluded this week. Other people familiar with the discussions told the Kyiv Independent that the talks could become government-to-government contracts. One source said a public announcement could come as early as March 11.
According to the report, one contract for Ukrainian drones had already been signed and that a Saudi weapons manufacturer served as the local intermediary.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that a large purchase of air-defense equipment is being arranged. Two people who spoke to the Journal said Saudi Arabia is negotiating not only interceptors but also electronic-warfare systems. They said the agreement could be worth millions of dollars but had not been signed.
On March 10, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian
officials were traveling to the Persian Gulf to discuss drone supply contracts
with the countries in the region.
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