The US Armed Forces have begun using the Ukrainian Sky Map technology platform to protect the key Prince Sultan airbase in Saudi Arabia. The system is designed to detect and neutralize strike drones, in particular Iranian Shahed drones.
The introduction of this technology took place against the backdrop of regular attacks on American military facilities in the region, which previously led to damage to equipment and losses among personnel.
Specialists from the Ukrainian Armed Forces arrived at the airbase to train American colleagues in working with the software complex. The Sky Map platform allows not only to identify threats in the air, but also to coordinate counterattacks using interceptor drones. The effectiveness of Ukrainian developments in countering cheap but dangerous strike systems has forced the US Department of Defense to reconsider its approaches to financing technologies to combat UAVs.
“Ukraine has received a request from the US to provide support in protecting against Shahed strike drones, with which Iran attacks Middle Eastern countries,” emphasized President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky.
The use of Ukrainian developments at a strategic facility located 640 kilometers from the border with Iran indicates the high technological expertise of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. At the same time, this step has become the subject of political discussions in Washington. In particular, US President Donald Trump previously expressed doubts about the need to attract Ukrainian assistance to defend American interests in the Middle East.
“America does not need Ukraine’s help to shoot down Iranian drones in the Middle East,” the President of the United States noted.
Despite critical statements by individual officials, the practical implementation of the project confirms the critical importance of Ukrainian combat experience for the global security system. The integration of modern means of detecting and intercepting drones at the Prince Sultan base aims to create a reliable shield against air attacks and ensure the stability of the functioning of the US air group.
Further cooperation between the defense departments of both countries in this area can become the basis for creating new air defense standards. Successful testing and operation of Ukrainian systems in real combat conditions in the Middle East paves the way for wider use of domestic technologies by NATO member states.
