Biden administration to allow American military contractors to deploy to Ukraine for first time since Russia’s invasion

CNN | Published November 8, 2024

The Biden administration has lifted a de facto ban on American military contractors deploying to Ukraine to help the country’s military maintain and repair US-provided weapons systems, particularly F16 fighter jets and Patriot air defense systems, an official with direct knowledge of the plan told CNN.

The new policy, approved earlier this month before the election, would allow the Pentagon to provide contracts to American companies for work inside Ukraine for the first time since Russia invaded in 2022. Officials said they hope it will speed up the maintenance and repairs of weapons systems being used by the Ukrainian military.

It is not clear whether Donald Trump will keep the policy in place when he takes office in January. Trump has said he hopes to end the war between Ukraine and Russia “within 24 hours” of returning to power.

“In order 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,” a defense official said.

“These contractors will be located far from the front lines and they will not be fighting Russian forces. They will help Ukrainian Armed Forces rapidly repair and maintain US provided equipment as needed so it can be quickly returned to the front lines.”

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SOURCE: www.cnn.com
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/08/politics/biden-administration-american-military-contractors-deploy-ukraine/index.html


RELATED:Biden allows US military contractors into Ukraine

The move is aimed at helping Ukraine repair Western fighter jets and air defenses.


President Joe Biden has long promised that the U.S. would not put military boots on the ground in Ukraine — other than service members detailed to the American Embassy in Kyiv. | Francis Chung/POLITICO
POLITICO | Published November 8,, 2024

The Biden administration will allow U.S. military contractors to deploy to Ukraine — a policy reversal aimed at helping Kyiv maintain complex Western-provided weapons systems, a defense official told POLITICO.

The decision was made before Tuesday’s election as a way to provide Ukraine with specific technical expertise needed for weapons like F-16 fighter jets and Patriot air defense systems, said the official, who was granted anonymity to speak about a sensitive military issue.

It will give the Defense Department the ability to ask for a small group of American weapon contractors to bid on sending their maintainers to the war-torn country.

“Having small numbers of contractors in Ukraine conducting maintenance away from the front lines will help ensure U.S.-provided equipment can be rapidly repaired when damaged and be provided maintenance as needed,” the defense official said.

CNN previously reported the policy change.

 

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SOURCE: www.politico.com

 

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