Ukraine Sends Drones and Experts to Bolster US Bases in Jordan

Ukraine has dispatched interceptor drones and a team of anti-drone specialists to enhance the defense of US military bases in Jordan against threats posed by Iranian drones, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. This action comes in response to escalating Iranian attacks utilizing Shahed suicide drones across the Middle East, prompting requests for assistance from the United States, European countries, and eleven nations bordering Iran.

Zelensky confirmed the swift response to a request made by US officials last Thursday, expressing readiness to share Ukraine’s combat experience against such aerial threats. “We reacted immediately,” he stated in an interview with the New York Times. Ukraine’s military has been engaged in combat against Iranian-designed drones for over four years, a challenge that has intensified as these drones have been employed by Russia in its ongoing conflict.

Despite possessing advanced Patriot interceptor missiles, the US faces challenges in terms of availability and cost. Zelensky noted that Middle Eastern countries had utilized over 800 of these missiles within the initial days of the war, highlighting the resource strain. Each Patriot missile costs more than $3 million to produce, significantly exceeding the expense of a single Shahed drone.

A critical incident underscoring the threat occurred on March 1, 2024, when an Iranian drone strike resulted in the deaths of six US soldiers stationed in Kuwait. The US military and its allies were unable to intercept the drone in time, raising alarm over current defense capabilities.

Zelensky emphasized Ukraine’s ability to counter Shahed drones effectively on a limited budget, pledging support to allies facing similar threats from Tehran. On social media platform X, he stated, “There is clear interest in Ukraine’s experience in protecting lives, relevant interceptors, electronic warfare systems, and training.”

The United States appears to be leveraging Ukraine’s expertise as it races to deploy counter-drone systems tested in Ukraine to the Middle East. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Merops drone killers, capable of flying at speeds exceeding 180 mph, are on their way to the region. These systems can be launched from vehicles and autonomously identify incoming drones using radio waves, radar, or even thermal signatures.

The costs associated with the Merops drone killers are significantly lower than their Iranian counterparts, coming in at under $10,000 per unit, according to a US military official. This stark contrast in pricing further underscores the potential benefits of integrating Ukrainian technology into US defense operations.

While US officials have yet to provide detailed information regarding the collaboration with Ukrainian drone experts, there has been a general openness from US leadership to accept assistance from allied nations in countering Iranian aggression. Zelensky’s proactive stance and Ukraine’s demonstrated capabilities may pave the way for a more robust defense strategy in the region.