Ukraine hopes to sign drone deals with seven Nato countries by year-end
Ukraine is seeking to sign major defence agreements with at least seven Nato countries by the end of the year, according to a senior official involved in the talks. The effort reflects a shift in Kyiv's role from a buyer of military equipment to a provider of expertise, particularly in counter-drone systems and related battlefield knowledge. The planned deals are being described as "drone deals", but officials say they go beyond drones themselves.
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Davyd Aloian, deputy secretary of Ukraine's security council, said the initiative covers the wider system needed to detect and defeat drones, including sensors, ground stations and radar systems. He said Ukraine's experience in building and using these systems is a central part of what it is offering to partners. According to Aloian, Ukraine has already signed such agreements with six countries in recent months.
Those six include three Middle Eastern states, Azerbaijan, and Nato members Latvia and Lithuania. The Middle Eastern interest grew after those countries were targeted by Iranian long-range Shahed drones following the start of the US-Israeli war on Iran in the spring, according to the account provided. Aloian said some countries initially relied on expensive Patriot missiles against drones, when cheaper interceptor drones might have been sufficient if backed by the right systems and know-how.
The talks matter because they show how the war in Ukraine is reshaping defence cooperation beyond Europe. Ukraine has spent years under sustained drone attack from Russia, and officials are now presenting that experience as a security asset for other states facing similar threats. The arrangement also highlights a broader shift in military procurement, where hardware alone is not enough without training, sensors and operational integration.
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Aloian said the initiative began during the conflict involving Iran, when Tehran attacked US allies across the region. He said many Gulf states were unprepared for drone threats, even though the Iranian drones used there were less sophisticated than the upgraded versions Russia has deployed against Ukraine. That experience appears to have created demand for Ukrainian advice as well as equipment.
The official said one country in the region bought interceptor drones from a western company that had worked with Ukrainian manufacturers. After delivery, Kyiv was repeatedly asked to advise on how best to operate the systems. He said that in the end three Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, became involved in the wider effort, although the report does not set out the full terms of those arrangements.
The development also underlines the growing importance of drone warfare in modern conflicts. Ukraine's battlefield experience has made it one of the most closely watched countries in the world for counter-drone tactics, especially as states seek cheaper ways to defend against mass drone attacks. For Kyiv, the deals could strengthen diplomatic ties while also reinforcing its claim that it can contribute to the security of partners, not only receive support from them.
What remains unclear is which seven Nato countries are being targeted for the next round of agreements and how far the talks have progressed. It is also not yet clear what form the deals will take, how much they will be worth, or whether they will include training, technology transfer or joint production. The next stage to watch is whether Kyiv can turn the current interest into signed contracts before the end of the year.
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