• Ukraine has deployed military units to help five Middle Eastern countries counter drone attacks.
• The countries receiving support include the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan.
• Ukrainian officials are collaborating on long-term security measures and air defense technologies.
• President Zelensky aims to exchange defense expertise for advanced air defense systems.
• Kyiv is assessing its role in securing the Strait of Hormuz amidst ongoing regional tensions.

Ukraine has recently deployed military units to five Middle Eastern countries, specifically to enhance protection against drone attacks on critical and civilian infrastructure, as confirmed by security council secretary Rustem Umerov. These deployments follow Umerov's recent visits to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan. He emphasized that "Ukrainian military specialists are operating in each of these countries under the coordination of the National Security and Defense Council," and additional measures for long-term security cooperation have been outlined with these nations, although details were not specified, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

The deployment aims to utilize Ukraine's advanced interceptor technology to counter Iranian-made "Shahed" drones, which have also been used against Ukraine by Russian forces. Umerov noted that there is ongoing collaboration with local partners on air defense solutions based on Ukraine's wartime experience. "Work is also under way to expand coverage areas," he added, which indicates a strategic effort to bolster regional defenses, according to Los Angeles Times and Reuters.

In exchange for its support, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that Kyiv is seeking monetary and technological benefits, particularly advanced air defense missiles, necessary to counter Russian aerial assaults. He indicated that the U.S. and several European nations had requested Ukraine’s assistance in military training and technology sharing. Notably, over 200 Ukrainian military experts are reported to be active in the Middle East, with U.S. military bases being among the locations for such operations, according to Los Angeles Times and Channel News Asia.

Beyond assistance in counter-drone operations, Zelensky has expressed interest in participating in securing the critical Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway affected by the ongoing Iran conflict. Ukrainian officials are contemplating the real readiness of regional allies to engage in initiatives aimed at security enhancement in this domain. This situation reflects Ukraine's urgent need for international recognition of its defense capabilities and the potential benefits from such collaborations, according to Reuters, Channel News Asia, and Los Angeles Times.