Biden administration greenlights American defense contractors to operate in Ukraine – CNN
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The current US President, Joe Biden's administration, has authorized the deployment of American military contractors in Ukraine to provide maintenance and repairs for F16 fighter jets and Patriot air defense systems.
CNN reported this by referring to an official who is directly familiar with this plan.
The Biden administration has lifted the ban on deploying American military contractors to assist the Ukrainian military, marking the first time since the start of Russia's full-scale war.
"To help Ukraine repair and maintain military equipment provided by the US and its allies, DoD (Department of Defense) is soliciting bids for a small number of contractors who will help Ukraine maintain the assistance we've already provided," the official said.
It is noted that now the Pentagon will be able to award contracts to American companies for work in Ukraine. Officials interviewed by the publication hope that this will speed up the maintenance and repair of weapons and air defense systems.
"These contractors will be located far from the front lines, and they will not be fighting Russian forces. They will help Ukraine's armed forces rapidly repair and maintain US-provided equipment as needed so it can be quickly returned to the front lines," the source of the publication said.
The information that the USA is "progressing towards the implementation of this plan" was also confirmed by a representative of the Ministry of Defense. Noting that some of the systems the United States has provided to Ukraine, including the F-16 and Patriot, "require special technical expertise to maintain."
The official emphasized that the Pentagon will soon post contracts online. Companies competing for these contracts will be required to create robust risk management plans to decrease potential hazards to their staff.
"The Department made this decision after careful risk assessment and coordination with interagency stakeholders. Each US contractor, organization, or company will be responsible for the safety and security of their employees and will be required to include risk mitigation plans as part of their bids," a US defense official said.
Current and former officials say that the authorization would not lead to a large number of American contractors in Ukraine, as seen in Iraq and Afghanistan. However, dozens to hundreds of contractors are expected to work there at once.
However, it remains unclear whether US President-elect Donald Trump will extend the permit when he takes office in January.
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