Ukrainian anti-drone system deployed to protect US airbase in Saudi Arabia
The Ukrainian Sky Map anti-drone system has been deployed at one of the key US airbases in Saudi Arabia — Prince Sultan Air Base. This base is considered an important hub for the American military presence in the region, writes Reuters.
Photo: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
According to Reuters, citing five sources, the decision to implement the system was made after an increase in drone attacks in the region, including those of Iranian origin.
Sky Map is an early drone detection system that operates not through a single radar, but through a wide network of acoustic sensors. They detect the characteristic sound of drone engines and transmit data to a common control system. There, the information is combined, allowing for quick determination of the threat's route and type.
A unique feature of the system is that it has been extensively tested in Ukraine during the war. There, it is used as part of a broader anti-drone system, including against Iranian Shahed drones. Ukrainian military personnel have refined its use in real combat conditions, where drone attacks occur regularly and massively.
Reportedly, Ukrainian specialists not only transferred the technology but also trained American military personnel on how to use it. The primary goal is rapid drone detection and transmission of target data for their destruction, including with the help of interceptors.
Previously, the US publicly stated that it did not need Ukrainian assistance in combating drones. However, the practical situation in the Persian Gulf region showed otherwise: massive drone attacks created a strain on existing air defense systems.
Before, very expensive missiles were often used to shoot down cheap drones, making such defense economically inefficient. Therefore, the US and its partners began searching for cheaper and more flexible solutions.
Experts note that this case demonstrates a shift in approaches in modern warfare. Drones have become a mass attack tool, and Ukraine's experience in detecting and neutralizing them is now considered one of the most practical in the world.