Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed defense cooperation agreements with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, proving those countries with cutting-edge drone interceptor technologies in return for financial support and air-defense missiles Ukraine needs to counter Russian attacks.

Zelenskyy said the ten-year deals were helping transform Ukraine from a net recipient of military aid to a supplier.

The Gulf states’ need of anti-drone technologies has dramatically increased since the start of the month-old Israeli- and U.S.-led conflict against Iran. As part of its defense strategy. Iran has begun striking targets in the region located in countries that host U.S. military bases. 

Ukraine has developed an expertise in defending itself against Russian drone attacks in its four-year-old war with Russia.

The air-defense missiles Ukraine will receive as part of the new deals will be used to step up the country’s own defense amid potential cutbacks in support from the U.S. as it diverts military resources to the Middle East as the conflict there stretches out beyond original estimates.