U.S. Implements Ukrainian Anti-drone System At Saudi Base
- 22.04.2026, 19:25
It's about the Sky Map platform.
The US military has in recent weeks introduced Ukrainian drone countermeasures technology at its Prince Sultan airbase in Saudi Arabia, Reuters and Times of Israel reported, citing several sources familiar with the situation.
The issue is the Sky Map control and coordination platform developed in Ukraine. The system is used to detect unmanned threats and coordinate responses, including the launch of interceptors, the sources told the publication. Ukrainian military specialists have already arrived at the base to train the US military to work with the system.
According to Reuters, amid the growing role of inexpensive serial drones in modern conflicts, the Pentagon is increasing investments in drone countermeasures technologies. The deployment of Ukrainian technology comes amid ongoing attacks on the Prince Sultan base by Iran, where aircraft and infrastructure were previously damaged and at least one serviceman killed.
The use of Ukrainian solutions points to vulnerabilities in the US air and missile defense system, the agency's publication said.
In early March, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had sent drone interceptors and drone experts to defend US bases in Jordan. According to him, the U.S. side sent a corresponding request to Kiev, and the experts traveled to the Middle East the very next day. "We responded immediately. I replied: yes, of course, we will send our experts," Zelensky said.
Then the Financial Times wrote that the Pentagon and a Middle Eastern country were negotiating the purchase of Ukrainian interceptors to repel Iranian drone attacks. According to the newspaper, they are seen as a cheaper alternative to expensive Patriot systems.
Zelensky has previously expressed willingness to help Middle Eastern countries, but insisted on the need to balance these requests with Kiev's needs. At the same time, he did not rule out difficulties in obtaining missiles and air defense systems due to the US and Israeli operation against Iran. In addition, Kiev offered the Middle Eastern countries to exchange their interceptor drones for more powerful systems needed by Ukrainian troops and diplomatic support in negotiations with Moscow.