{"id":834901,"date":"2026-03-18T22:19:30","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T22:19:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/834901\/"},"modified":"2026-03-18T22:19:30","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T22:19:30","slug":"ukraine-says-it-can-arm-allies-with-1000-anti-shahed-interceptors-a-day-maybe-more-if-it-gets-more-investment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/834901\/","title":{"rendered":"Ukraine says it can arm allies with 1,000 anti-Shahed interceptors a day, maybe more, if it gets more investment"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"mb-4\">\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Ukraine said it can produce more anti-Shahed interceptor drones than it needs.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Ukraine has deep experience in combating the kind of drone attacks the US and its allies now face in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ml-4 list-disc\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">It has resulted in a surge in interest in Ukraine&#8217;s interceptors, and it wants to share them.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Ukraine is offering to use its untapped industrial capacity to support countries facing new threats. It says it could supply partners with 1,000 interceptor drones a day to <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/iran-shahed-drone-interceptor-booming-business-manufacturers-middle-east-t2026-3?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_medium=syndication&amp;utm_source=yahoocom&amp;utm_source=yahoo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:counter Shahed attacks;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;counter Shahed attacks&quot;}\">counter Shahed attacks<\/a>, potentially even more if it can secure additional investments to scale up production.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the UK Parliament on Tuesday that Ukraine can produce &#8220;at least 2,000 effective and combat-proven interceptors every day.&#8221; His military needs around 1,000 a day, which means &#8220;we can supply at least another 1,000 a day to our allies.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Ukraine&#8217;s <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/ukraine-defense-industry-can-make-more-weapons-extra-capacity-2025-6?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_medium=syndication&amp;utm_source=yahoocom&amp;utm_source=yahoo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:defense industry;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;defense industry&quot;}\">defense industry<\/a> says it can produce far more than it does now, but lacks funding. Zelenskyy singled out interceptor drones \u2014 cheap systems designed to <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/ukraine-interceptor-drones-air-defense-2025-10?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_medium=syndication&amp;utm_source=yahoocom&amp;utm_source=yahoo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:destroy incoming drones;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;destroy incoming drones&quot;}\">destroy incoming drones<\/a> \u2014 as an urgent gap for partners that Kyiv could fill.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Ukraine has extensive experience in stopping Shahed drones without needing to expend expensive missiles. A top officer said last month that <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/interceptor-drones-destroy-third-russian-air-threats-shahed-quadcopters-commander-2026-2?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_medium=syndication&amp;utm_source=yahoocom&amp;utm_source=yahoo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:interceptor drones;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;interceptor drones&quot;}\">interceptor drones<\/a> now account for almost a third of the Russian aerial threats destroyed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Amid the <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/us-forces-hitting-more-than-iran-warships-mines-drones-torpedoes-2026-3?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_medium=syndication&amp;utm_source=yahoocom&amp;utm_source=yahoo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Iran war;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Iran war&quot;}\">Iran war<\/a>, there is a surge in interest in Ukraine&#8217;s capabilities.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"A large grey drone displayed on a crowded street\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"648\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/8799cb791f3670915e3c434bfceaff24.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Iran has fired its Shahed drones at the US and its Middle East allies.Morteza Nikoubazl\/NurPhoto via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Interest was already growing as allies studied Ukraine&#8217;s battlefield tactics, especially drone defense; however, demand has surged as the Iranians lob <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/iran-gambles-drones-missiles-can-outlast-us-and-israel-2026-3?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_medium=syndication&amp;utm_source=yahoocom&amp;utm_source=yahoo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Shahed one-way attack drones;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Shahed one-way attack drones&quot;}\">Shahed one-way attack drones<\/a> at US forces and allies in the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The war has highlighted problems with traditional air defense systems, including how expensive they are to use.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">One interceptor missile for a US-made Patriot air defense system, for example, can cost around $4 million, and difficult-to-replace stockpiles can be quickly exhausted. These weapons aren&#8217;t ideal against <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/ukraine-pay-per-kill-shahed-drone-interceptor-mykhailo-fedorov-2026-1?utm_medium=syndication&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=yahoo&amp;utm_source=yahoocom\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Iranian Shaheds;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Iranian Shaheds&quot;}\">Iranian Shaheds<\/a>, generally estimated to cost around $20,000 to $50,000 apiece.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Interceptor drones, running $2,000 to $6,000, put defenders in a better position from a cost perspective.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Zelenskyy said Ukraine was forced to learn how to cheaply stop these one-way drones so that Russia could not overwhelm expensive air defense systems by sending drones in waves. He said Ukraine changed that equation, stressing that Kyiv&#8217;s &#8220;approach is far more cost-effective than anything our partners use today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Zelenskyy previously said that multiple countries had <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/hundreds-ukrainians-helping-gulf-states-iran-shahed-drones-zelenskyy-2026-3?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_medium=syndication&amp;utm_source=yahoocom&amp;utm_source=yahoo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:contacted Ukraine&#039;s government for help;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;contacted Ukraine&#039;&quot;}\">contacted Ukraine&#8217;s government for help<\/a> on dealing with Iran&#8217;s Shahed drones, and on Tuesday, he said there&#8217;s demand for Ukrainian expertise.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">There are more than 200 Ukrainian military experts in the Gulf region at the request of partners, he said, and they &#8220;know how to help, how to defend against &#8216;Shahed&#8217; drones.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Interceptor drone makers, including ones outside of Ukraine, told Business Insider that they have seen a burst of interest, but it is tough to meet demand, as companies can&#8217;t scale up overnight.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;We can produce more \u2014 it depends on investment,&#8221; the Ukrainian president said.<\/p>\n<p><img alt=\"People gesture up to a large black drone on display on a street with a gold-topped church in the background\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/72e6bc828f78d7ce0c0f0ea14d6baebb.jpeg\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Ukraine has a wealth of experience in shooting down drones that were modelled after Iran&#8217;s Shaheds.Sergei SUPINSKY \/ AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Ukraine&#8217;s defense budget heavily <a class=\"link \" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/ukraine-defense-industry-wants-to-export-says-will-help-fight-2025-9?utm_medium=syndication&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=yahoo&amp;utm_source=yahoocom\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:limits what industry can produce;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;limits what industry can produce&quot;}\">limits what industry can produce<\/a>. More outside orders could unlock idle capacity, boosting supply for both Ukraine and its partners.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Ihor Fedirko, the CEO of the Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry (UCDI), a body that represents more than 100 companies, told Business Insider on Wednesday that the war in the Middle East has triggered a wave of requests for Ukrainian tech and expertise.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He said Ukraine is able to make 2.5 times more interceptors than it can afford to buy, and that gap could double in a few months. Exports would generate cash to fund more production for Ukraine&#8217;s own military.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Ukraine&#8217;s exports are heavily controlled, with the country wanting to prioritize its own fight against Russia&#8217;s invasion. It&#8217;s taking a host of steps to be able to export more equipment to some partners, particularly in Europe, but many of those steps are still being worked out. Zelenskyy&#8217;s comments, however, indicate that interceptor drones could be a priority export.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Zelenskyy also indicated that partners would need more than just interceptors to field a robust defense. &#8220;Without a system, any interceptor is just a toy \u2014 not a real defender,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">He said Ukraine knows how to build radar coverage to detect drones and software for the radars to keep working under electronic warfare interference.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;If a &#8216;Shahed&#8217; needs to be stopped in the Emirates, we can do it. If it needs to be stopped in Europe or the United Kingdom, we can do it,&#8221; Zelenskyy said. &#8220;It is a matter of technology, investment, and cooperation.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Read the original article on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/ukraine-says-can-supply-interceptors-allies-stop-drone-attacks-investment-2026-3\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Business Insider;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;context_link&quot;,&quot;yModuleName&quot;:&quot;content-canvas&quot;,&quot;yLinkText&quot;:&quot;Business Insider&quot;}\" class=\"link \">Business Insider<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ukraine said it can produce more anti-Shahed interceptor drones than it needs. Ukraine has deep experience in combating&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":834902,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[7654],"tags":[239380,2000,299,7700,66611,657,2601],"class_list":["post-834901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-ukraine","tag-attack-drones","tag-eu","tag-europe","tag-shahed","tag-shahed-drones","tag-ukraine","tag-volodymyr-zelenskyy"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/116252506210063286","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/834901","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=834901"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/834901\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/834902"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=834901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=834901"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=834901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}