Ukraine’s interceptor drone makers look at exports to Gulf

Ukrainian manufacturers of cheap interceptor drones designed to knock out enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) say they have the capacity to export in large volumes, amid enquiries from the United States and Middle East prompted by the Iran war.

Hundreds of drones based on Iran’s Shahed model and now made in Russia fill Ukraine’s skies during frequent attacks, and many are downed by air defences including Western missiles, fighter jets, truck-mounted guns and interceptor drones.

Now, as Iran launches drones at US allies across the Gulf and beyond in response to intense US and Israeli strikes, Ukraine is hoping the Middle East crisis will increase its leverage with allies by showing them the expertise it has built during four years of Russia’s full-scale invasion could be invaluable to partners’ own long-term security.

With missiles sometimes costing millions of dollars each, and in short supply as Western armies scramble to bolster their own defences, interceptors are seen as an efficient and cost-effective way to counter attacks by relatively cheap drones.

The United States and its allies in the Middle East have swiftly sought Ukraine’s help with supplying such interceptors.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine would provide assistance in response to a US request for help and said earlier that Middle Eastern nations had approached Kyiv.

Zelensky did not specify what this would entail, but a source familiar with the matter said that the United States and Qatar were in talks to purchase Ukrainian interceptor drones.

Supply outstrips demand

SkyFall, a major manufacturer of drones including interceptors, said its manufacturing capacity had outgrown Ukraine’s ability to purchase its systems and the company was ready to export.

“We have had interest and inquiries from our (allies) and countries in the Middle East,” said Ares, a representative of SkyFall who wore a balaclava as he spoke to hide his identity. Ares spoke on condition that only his call-sign be used.

SkyFall says its P1-SUN interceptor has downed more than 1,500 Shaheds and 1,000 other drones since it entered operations four months ago.

“The company is ready to provide any necessary assistance if we get the green light from our government,” he said, adding that it would only do so if it did not affect Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.

Ihor Fedirko, CEO of UCDI, Ukraine’s state-backed arms manufacturers’ association, estimated that manufacturers of interceptor UAVs and other counter-drone systems were making about twice as many as the Ukrainian military needed to deal with Russia’s frequent barrages.

SkyFall asked that the location of its factory not be disclosed. During a recent visit, Reuters reporters saw long rows of 3D printers churning out plastic drone components and halls of workers soldering and assembling drones. The company estimated it could manufacture up to 50,000 interceptor drones a month and export 5,000 to 10,000 without impinging on Ukraine’s needs.