Ukrainian military arrived at the base to train the US military on the platform, which helps detect drones, including Iranian Shahed, and coordinate their interception.
The deployment of Sky Map was an example of how Ukraine has advanced in counter-drone technologies during the years of war with the aggressor country Russia, the agency notes. Against the background of the massive use of drones, the Pentagon is increasing investments in air defense systems and protection against drones.
The Prince Sultan base, located about 640 km from Iran, has been subject to drone and missile attacks since the start of the war. The strikes destroyed an E-3 AWACS aircraft and damaged several KC-135 tanker aircraft, as well as facilities associated with the THAAD missile defense system.
In addition to Sky Map, other systems are being tested at the base, including Merops interceptor drones from the American company Project Eagle, supported by former Google head Eric Schmidt. According to sources, during one of the tests, the interceptor lost control and crashed into the toilet building at the base.
Context
On March 1, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Ukrainian specialists will be attracted to repel Iranian drone attacks in the Persian Gulf countries. After this, President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky said that he could send the best Ukrainian specialists to the Middle East if the leaders of the region convince the illegitimate president of the aggressor country, Vladimir Putin, to agree to a month-long truce in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
In an interview with Rai Italia published on March 5, Zelensky informed that Ukraine is receiving requests from partners from the Middle East, as well as from Europe and the United States, to provide expertise in the fight against Iranian Shahed kamikaze drones used against civilian targets. At the same time, Zelensky recalled that the war continues in Ukraine itself and the country has a shortage of PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles for the Patriot air defense system.
On March 13, US President Donald Trump publicly rejected Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's offer to help the US fend off Iranian drone attacks, saying that the United States “does not need their help defending against drones.”
