A Shift in Modern Warfare
Richard Haass, formerly the head of the Council on Foreign Relations, says the world is witnessing a military-transformation revolution—and in this arena, the United States is trying to catch up while Ukraine moves to the front as a supplier of combat technology. He noted that Saudi Arabia signed an agreement with Ukraine back in March, focusing on defense cooperation and specifically on anti-drone capabilities. Ukrainian interceptors, priced at around $10,000 each, are attracting strong interest from Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, according to Haass.
U.S. Readiness and Rising Threats
More than 200 Ukrainian drone-countermeasure specialists are currently deployed across the Middle East. Haass, however, voiced worries about American readiness, stressing that Washington does not have enough Patriot systems to hand over to Ukraine. The U.S. cannot scale up production of these systems quickly enough, he argued, calling that a significant vulnerability.
“Even if we wanted to provide Ukraine with Patriot systems to counter Russian missiles, we simply don’t have them, and we can’t manufacture them fast enough,” said Richard Haass.
He also pointed to a failure in modernizing the U.S. military, attributing it to both political parties and multiple presidential administrations. Haass added that Iran is striking Gulf countries with the same drones Russia deploys against Ukraine. In light of a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan, he advised Taipei to closely follow Ukrainian technological developments that could prove useful in its own defense.
All of this underscores Ukraine's gradual rise as a notable player in the international military-technology market, opening up new avenues for cooperation with Middle Eastern nations. The surging demand for Ukrainian systems—especially counter-drone equipment—could strengthen Kyiv's global standing and push growth in its defense industry. It also reinforces the argument for continued support to Ukraine amid its war with Russia and the broader threats posed by actors such as Iran and China.
As Ukraine continues to enhance its role in the global military technology landscape, the implications of U.S. support—or lack thereof—become increasingly critical. Richard Haass has previously criticized the decisions made by former President Trump regarding aid to Ukraine, highlighting the potential consequences of inadequate assistance in the face of evolving threats.