'Capabilities Are Limited': Why Europe Is Hesitant To Join Gulf Defence Against Iran’s Drone Attacks

Last Updated:March 05, 2026, 17:24 IST

While Ukraine has offered to expertise, Italy, Spain, France, and the UK are sending naval and air defense assets to Cyprus.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Thursday the bloc was working to help the Gulf nations intercept Iranian drone strikes but warned that the supplies of relevant kit was likely limited.

“Everybody has the need for air defence… So there is really a problem with production," Kallas said during a video call between EU and Gulf State foreign ministers.

While urging Europe to “speed up" production, she said, “…we are looking into this, but I’m worried that the capabilities are limited."

Also Read: ‘Could Be Targeted’: Officials Express Concern As 2nd Iranian Ship Heads To Sri Lanka After Attack

AFP quoted Kallas suggesting that Ukraine, which has built vaunted expertise in the sector in more than four years of war with Russia, could help by sharing its knowledge.

Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had offered to swap with the US allies in the Middle East some air defence missiles in exchange for drone interceptors.

Follow for live updates

According to AFP, Russia has been using Iranian-designed Shahed drones throughout its invasion of Ukraine, and Kyiv has developed a range of cheap and effective interceptors – aerial craft designed to hit incoming attack drones mid-air – that it says are world-leading.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has been struggling with a shortage of PAC-3 air defence missiles, expensive ammunition used to fire at incoming Russian missiles to defend Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure.

Which European Nations Are Helping Allies This War

Reuters quoted Rome’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto telling the parliament that Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands will send naval assets to protect Cyprus in the coming days.

On Thursday, Italy had announced its decision to send air defence assistance to Gulf countries that are being targeted by Iranian strikes in retaliation for US-Israeli strikes.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK was sending “helicopters with counter drone capabilities" and a warship, HMS Dragon, to Cyprus as Britain continued “defensive operations" in the region. This was a day after a British Royal Air Force base on the island was targeted by an Iranian-made drone.

Also Read: Blackout For 5 Days And Counting: Why Iran Is Threatening Anyone Who Tries To Get Online

Starmer had initially refused to participate in the US-Israeli war with Iran but later agreed to the US request to use two British military bases for a “specific and limited defensive purpose".

The French military has also said that it would allow US aircraft use some of its bases in the Middle East during the conflict, adding that they “contribute to the protection of our partners in the Gulf".

Spain will send its most advanced frigate to protect Cyprus after a drone strike on a British base on the Mediterranean island sucked it into the Middle East war, France24 quoted the Spanish defence ministry.

The exchange of strikes between Iran and US-Israel entered its sixth day. The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, as negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme faltered with the Middle East plunging into a renewed military conflict.

On Wednesday, an American submarine sank an Iranian warship. With the attack, Tehran threatened the destruction of military and economic infrastructure across the region.

The intensity of the attacks prompted the state television to announce the postponement of the mourning ceremony for Iran’s slain Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Khamenei, 86, was killed in the coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Sunday.

News world 'Capabilities Are Limited': Why Europe Is Hesitant To Join Gulf Defence Against Iran’s Drone Attacks

Read More