Ukraine drones deployed to protect US bases amid Middle East conflict

Published: 10 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Ukraine has dispatched drone experts and interceptor teams to protect key US bases in Jordan. This strategic move comes amid the ongoing US-Israeli military operations against Iran, which entered its tenth day last week. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that Kyiv responded promptly to a request from Washington to bolster Jordanian security against Iranian attacks targeting military and energy infrastructure. The deployment marks a rare instance of Ukraine sending defensive capabilities beyond Europe, reflecting its growing diplomatic engagement with Middle Eastern nations affected by the conflict.

Zelenskyy shared on social media that eleven countries, including Jordan, neighbouring Iran, and European allies, requested assistance from Ukraine. Some of these requests have already received “concrete decisions and specific support,” he added, highlighting Kyiv’s willingness to leverage its wartime expertise in drone defence. Officials said that the Ukrainian team departed for Jordan shortly after receiving a formal request last Thursday, illustrating the rapid operational capability developed over years of conflict. Analysts note that Ukraine’s intervention also aims to strengthen ties with Gulf states as the region navigates heightened security risks.

Satellite imagery reportedly shows damage to the radar of a US Thaad air defence system at the Muwaffaq Salti airbase in Jordan, suggesting Iranian attacks may have impaired early-warning capabilities. Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine is willing to provide interceptor drones and trained personnel to safeguard critical facilities, which include US military and energy installations. Orysia Lutsevych from Chatham House remarked that Ukraine seeks to demonstrate its strategic value to both the United States and allied nations by exporting its battle-tested knowledge in drone warfare. This initiative also allows Kyiv to earn goodwill and secure political support for its broader regional agenda.

In recent weeks, Zelenskyy has engaged directly with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan, underscoring the importance of coordinated security measures across Europe and the Middle East. Conversations with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted shared concerns about the stability of energy infrastructure and regional defence readiness. The Ukrainian president stressed that protecting allied interests abroad is not only a diplomatic signal but also a practical demonstration of Kyiv’s capacity to manage sophisticated defensive systems in high-threat environments.

Ukraine’s experience with Shahed-136 drones, deployed by Russia since September 2024, has proven invaluable in this regard. Originally designed in Iran, the drones were transferred to Russia, allowing mass production and extensive use against Ukrainian targets. Facing near-nightly swarms, Kyiv developed low-cost, high-efficiency air defence strategies, achieving interception rates exceeding eighty-five percent. The Ukrainian Air Force recently reported shooting down 453 out of 480 incoming drones, highlighting the effectiveness of rapid-response and ground-based interception methods.

Initially reliant on machine gun crews and a small number of fighter aircraft, Ukraine shifted to piloted, high-speed interceptor drones. Among these are the Sting missiles developed by Wild Hornets, costing roughly $2,000 per unit. Officials claim that in February, more than seventy percent of Shahed drones targeting Kyiv and its surrounding areas were neutralised using these cost-effective measures. This contrasts with Middle Eastern nations, which have leaned heavily on US-manufactured Patriot and Thaad systems to counter both missile and drone threats from Iran.

Cost considerations remain significant in the ongoing conflict. A single Shahed-136 drone is valued at approximately $50,000, while Patriot interceptors can exceed $4 million each. Zelenskyy reported that more than eight hundred Patriot missiles were launched during three days of the war last week, equivalent to an entire year’s global production. The intensive use of these interceptors raises concerns about potential shortages, both for Middle Eastern allies and for Ukraine, which depends on sustained access to defensive technologies.

Patriot missiles come in two main variants. The Pac-2 model employs explosive blast fragmentation, produced at roughly three hundred units per year by Raytheon. The more advanced Pac-3 “hit-to-kill” interceptors are manufactured at a rate of six hundred annually by Lockheed Martin, offering improved precision against incoming high-speed threats. Thaad missiles, intended exclusively for ballistic missile defence, cost approximately $12.8 million each, with Lockheed Martin currently producing ninety-six annually and planning to increase output in the coming years. The cost and limited availability of these systems underscore the strategic importance of Ukraine’s affordable drone interception solutions in the Middle East.

Iran’s missile and drone activity has slowed following the US-Israeli attacks on 28 February, which marked an escalation in the regional conflict. On that day, Tehran reportedly launched 137 missiles and 209 drones at the UAE, whereas recent figures indicate only fifteen missiles and eighteen drones. Similarly, Israel reports that Iran’s missile launches have fallen by approximately eighty percent since the start of hostilities. Analysts attribute this decline to the disruption of launch infrastructure and the effectiveness of defensive measures, including the destruction of seventy-five percent of Iranian missile launchers.

Zelenskyy’s deployment to Jordan also reflects growing concerns about Russian-Iranian cooperation. Moscow has reportedly shared intelligence with Tehran, potentially assisting in targeting allied installations. Ukrainian officials have indicated that their deployment aims to counterbalance this alliance by providing advanced air defence capabilities to affected nations. The decision highlights Kyiv’s broader strategic approach: combining military expertise with diplomatic engagement to fortify alliances and demonstrate operational reliability beyond its borders.

Experts suggest that Ukraine’s involvement in the Middle East could set a precedent for future international cooperation in drone defence. The country’s experience with low-cost interceptors allows it to offer practical, scalable solutions to nations facing high-volume drone threats, while strengthening geopolitical ties. Observers note that Ukraine is leveraging its technological and tactical expertise to expand its role as a security partner, not merely a regional actor constrained to Europe.

The Jordanian deployment further emphasizes the changing nature of global air defence, where small, agile systems can complement traditional high-cost missiles. Ukraine’s approach provides an adaptable and budget-conscious model for countries struggling to counter rapid drone incursions. By deploying interceptor drones and trained operators abroad, Kyiv reinforces its reputation as an innovative military actor capable of responding to diverse threats. The move also illustrates the country’s diplomatic strategy: offering technical support as a pathway to deeper international partnerships.

As the conflict between the US-Israeli coalition and Iran continues, Ukraine’s intervention may influence broader regional security policies. The decision to protect Jordanian bases demonstrates a blend of military proficiency and diplomatic signalling, reinforcing Kyiv’s commitment to allied nations. Analysts argue that such proactive engagement enhances Ukraine’s strategic credibility and may encourage further requests for assistance from countries facing similar security threats.

While Iran’s attacks have decreased, the volatile situation in the Gulf and Middle East underscores the necessity of prepared defensive networks. Ukraine’s low-cost, high-efficiency drone defence capabilities are increasingly seen as a model for rapid, effective responses to modern aerial threats. By sharing its expertise, Kyiv not only protects allied infrastructure but also strengthens international ties that may prove critical in future geopolitical crises.

The Ukrainian operation in Jordan exemplifies the growing global significance of drone warfare, highlighting cost disparities and technological adaptability. The deployment demonstrates that countries with limited budgets can still mount effective defences using smart, locally developed solutions. As the Middle East navigates complex security challenges, Ukraine’s role as a provider of drone defence expertise may become increasingly central to regional stability and cooperation.

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