US Military Deploys Ukrainian Anti‑Drone Technology at Saudi Air Base

Technology forged under constant Russian drone attacks is now shaping how US forces defend a key base in the Middle East. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied A member of the US Airforce looks on near a Patriot missile battery at the Prince Sultan air base in Al-Kharj, in central Saudi Arabia on February 20, 2020. (Photo by Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / POOL / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google The United States military has begun using Ukrainian ‑developed anti‑ drone technology at a key US air base in Saudi Arabia , Reuters reported. According to the report published on Wednesday, the Sky Map technology platform has been deployed at Prince Sultan Air Base, information that had not previously been publicly disclosed. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . Ukrainian military personnel traveled to the base in recent weeks to train US forces in operating the system, which integrates data from radars and sensors into a single dashboard displaying maps and live video feeds to identify incoming threats. The system was developed and refined during Russia’s war against Ukraine and is widely used by Ukrainian forces to detect and counter drone threats, including Iran‑designed Shahed drones. The base has also tested Merops interceptor drones, developed by Project Eagle, a US company backed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, however, encountered difficulties during early testing. The deployment follows Ukraine’s signing of 10‑year defense export agreements with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates , and Qatar, as Kyiv expands cooperation with Middle Eastern partners on drone warfare and integrated air‑defense systems. President  Volodymyr Zelensky  has previously said that  Russian  forces use satellite surveillance to monitor Western military facilities and share intelligence with Iran, a  claim  he has cited when warning of coordinated attacks on US and allied assets. Other Topics of Interest Russia Floods Mali With Arms, Expands Footprint After Wagner Collapse The buildup follows years of stalled progress by Wagner fighters – deployed since 2021 – who failed to secure key victories against insurgents or gain access to Mali’s lucrative gold sector. In March, an Iranian missile attack damaged several aircraft at the base and destroyed a US E‑3 Sentry early warning aircraft. Veronika Sukhanych is a political analyst with a foundation in governance, legal research, and international policy. Kyiv-born and educated in comparative politics, her background includes research on global financial institutions, responsible AI governance, and security policy.