Ukraine has dispatched interceptor drones and operators to protect US bases in Jordan after a request from Washington, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said. He added that 11 countries neighbouring Iran, as well as European states and the US, have asked Kyiv for help as the conflict between the US-Israel and Iran continues.
The request for Jordan was made last Thursday, and a Ukrainian team departed the following day, according to Zelenskyy. Satellite imagery suggests that the radar for a US Thaad air defence system at the Muwaffaq Salti airbase was damaged or knocked out by Iranian attacks, one of several reportedly hit across the region.
Ukraine is seeking to build ties with Gulf and Middle Eastern countries, and to demonstrate its value to allies by sharing war experience, said Orysia Lutsevych of the Chatham House thinktank. Zelenskyy also noted that Iran and Russia are friendly, and warned that if Moscow shares intelligence with Tehran, Ukraine will send specialists and interceptors to defend bases and infrastructure.
Ukraine has developed low-cost air defence against Shahed-136 drones, which Iran originally designed and Russia now produces. Kyiv reports interception rates of over 85%, with Ukrainian forces stopping 453 out of 480 incoming drones on Saturday morning. The strategy relies on cheap interceptors, including the $2,000 Sting missile, which destroyed more than 70% of Shahed-type drones over Kyiv in February.
This contrasts with Gulf states that use US-made Patriot and Thaad systems, which cost far more. Zelenskyy said more than 800 Patriot interceptors were used in three days last week, exceeding the 600 Ukraine has received during its four-year war. However, Iran's rate of fire has fallen sharply since the US and Israel attacked on 28 February, suggesting stocks of Patriot interceptors may not deplete as quickly as feared.
