Overview
- In remarks to the UK Parliament, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine can build at least 2,000 interceptors daily and spare about 1,000 for partners, with further scaling contingent on investment.
- Requests have surged with Shahed-style attacks tied to the Iran conflict, and Ukraine has deployed more than 200 counter-drone experts to the Gulf at partners’ request.
- Interceptor drones costing roughly $2,000 to $6,000 per engagement offer a far cheaper answer to Shaheds than Patriot interceptors priced around $4 million.
- Wartime export restrictions continue to limit sales, with Ukraine’s export-control chief reporting no interceptor permits as negotiations proceed on possible exchanges for Patriot-class missiles.
- Ukrainian manufacturers warn the window to secure foreign contracts is narrowing as competitors such as the Eric Schmidt–backed Merops advance, while industry leaders say capacity exceeds domestic funding.