The United States has begun deploying Ukrainian technology to counter Iranian drones at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, in a move reflecting gaps in its air defence systems, according to a Reuters report.
Sources said US forces have installed the Ukrainian command-and-control platform “SkyMap”, which has been used in Ukraine’s war against Russia, particularly to track and intercept Iranian Shahed drones.
The report indicated that Ukrainian military experts have arrived at the base to train US personnel on operating the system.
The decision comes despite earlier remarks by Donald Trump, who on 6th March rejected an offer of assistance from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying at the time: “We don’t need their help defending against drones.”
However, developments at Prince Sultan Air Base, which recently sustained heavy attacks that destroyed an E-3 Sentry radar aircraft and damaged fuel tankers, have prompted a shift in approach.
Military analysts told Reuters that the move exposes “longstanding gaps” in US air defence coverage, despite significant spending, noting that the base is currently relying on a mix of US systems, including Coyote, alongside Ukrainian technology.
Sources added that early testing of some systems faced setbacks, including an incident in which a Merops interceptor lost control and crashed inside the base, highlighting the technical challenges involved in confronting the evolving drone threat.
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