KYIV, Ukraine: Ukrainian manufacturers of interceptor drones say they are ready to export large volumes of the systems as demand rises from the United States and Middle Eastern countries amid the Iran war.

The companies say inquiries from potential buyers have increased as Iran launches drones at U.S. allies across the Gulf, highlighting the growing demand for cheaper technologies to counter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks.

Ukraine has gained extensive experience defending against such threats during Russia's full-scale invasion, where large numbers of drones, many based on Iran's Shahed design and produced in Russia, frequently target Ukrainian cities.

Hundreds of those drones fill Ukraine's skies during attacks, and many are brought down by layered air defences that include Western missiles, fighter jets, truck-mounted guns, and interceptor drones.

Now Kyiv hopes the expertise it has developed during the war could prove valuable to partners abroad.

With air defence missiles sometimes costing millions of dollars and increasingly in short supply as Western countries strengthen their own defences, interceptor drones are viewed as a cost-effective way to counter relatively cheap attack drones.

The United States and its Middle Eastern allies have already approached Ukraine about supplying such systems.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that Ukraine would assist in receiving a request from Washington, and earlier said Middle Eastern countries had also approached Kyiv.

He did not specify what form that assistance might take. However, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters that the United States and Qatar were discussing the purchase of Ukrainian interceptor drones.

Production Capacity Exceeds Domestic Demand

Ukrainian manufacturers say they now have more production capacity than the domestic market requires.

SkyFall, a major Ukrainian drone producer, said it can export interceptor systems without affecting Ukraine's own defence needs.

"We have had interest and inquiries from our (allies) and countries in the Middle East," said Ares, a representative of SkyFall who wore a balaclava during the interview to conceal his identity.

Ares spoke on condition that only his call-sign be used.

The company said its P1-SUN interceptor drone has shot down more than 1,500 Shahed drones and 1,000 other unmanned aircraft since entering service four months ago.

"The company is ready to provide any necessary assistance if we get the green light from our government," he said, adding that exports would only proceed if they did not weaken Ukraine's ability to defend itself.

Ihor Fedirko, chief executive of UCDI, Ukraine's state-backed association of arms manufacturers, estimated that Ukrainian companies are producing roughly twice as many interceptor drones and counter-drone systems as the military currently needs to defend against Russian attacks.

During a recent visit to SkyFall's factory, whose location the company asked not to be disclosed, Reuters reporters saw rows of 3D printers producing plastic drone components and workers assembling the devices.

The company said it could produce up to 50,000 interceptor drones per month and export 5,000 to 10,000 units without affecting Ukraine's own supply.

Although Ukraine does not intercept every Russian drone, industry officials say the issue is not always a lack of weapons but sometimes coordination challenges.

Kyiv is working to improve the integration of its air defence systems, with interceptor drones becoming an increasingly important part of the network.

In February, they accounted for 70 percent of the drones shot down in and around Kyiv, according to the Ukrainian military.

Cheap Alternative to Missiles

Interceptor drones cost far less than traditional air defence missiles.

Most Ukrainian models cost only a few thousand dollars. By comparison, PAC-3 missiles used in the U.S. Patriot air defence system can cost about US$4 million each and are typically reserved for intercepting incoming missiles.

The Iranian-designed Shahed-136 drones, now mass-produced in Russia, are estimated to cost $50,000 to $100,000 each.

SkyFall said the Ukrainian military currently pays about $1,000 per P1-SUN drone, depending on specifications.

"If we are talking about export and ... assistance to partners, then the price will most likely be higher," Ares said, although he said the drones would still likely remain the cheapest available option.

Industry representatives say one of the biggest challenges to deploying Ukrainian interceptor drones in the Gulf is not manufacturing but training.

Ukraine is currently the only country with combat-experienced drone crews who know how to operate the systems effectively.

SkyFall operates its own training academy, offering a three-week course for drone pilots, and said it would be ready to send instructors abroad if Ukraine's government approves exports.

The company also said it has developed technology that allows drones to be piloted remotely, meaning interceptor drones deployed in the Gulf could be flown by operators based in Ukraine.