Ukraine pivots from arms importer to exporter with Gulf defence deals
Kyiv signs 10-year air-defence and drone partnerships with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar and plans 10 European export offices
Summary
Through spring 2026 Ukraine moved to lift its wartime arms-export ban, signing 10-year defence partnerships with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar covering air defence, interceptor missiles, naval drones, electronic warfare and co-production. Zelensky said in March that Ukraine would help keep the Strait of Hormuz open using sea-drone expertise from the Black Sea. Kyiv plans about 10 weapons-export offices across Europe and lines in Germany and the UK. Ukraine's security council estimates exports could reach several billion dollars in 2026; over 200 Ukrainian specialists are already deployed in the region, with 11 more countries reportedly interested.
Why it matters
Monetising battlefield drone and EW expertise could earn Ukraine billions and reshape Gulf air defence against Iranian drones — while risking entangling Kyiv in Middle East rivalries.