US Turns to Ukrainian Technology to Protect Saudi Air Base
The US military has deployed Ukrainian technology to counter drone attacks at a key air base in Saudi Arabia. The system is intended to defend against strikes that have destroyed aircraft and buildings and killed at least one service member in recent weeks.
At Prince Sultan Air Base, the military has deployed the Sky Map platform, which detects incoming drones and coordinates defenses. Ukrainian military officials traveled to the base to train US soldiers in its use. The system draws on sensor and radar data to identify threats, including Shaheed drones, and enables the deployment of interceptor drones.
The move highlights longstanding weaknesses in US air defenses. Analysts point to gaps in the system that have gone unaddressed for years. The Pentagon is responding by increasing investment in drone warfare technology.
Other systems are also in use at the base, including the Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD) platform and Coyote interceptor drones. Testing of new technologies has not been without problems, as one drone crashed during a trial run.
The base has faced repeated drone and missile attacks in recent weeks, damaging several military installations.