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US defense contractors in Ukraine to repair F-16s, Patriots — TV

According to the official, these contractors will be located far from combat operations areas

NEW YORK, November 8. /TASS/. US defense contractors in Ukraine will engage in repairing US-supplied F-16 fighter jets and Patriot air defense systems, CNN reported, citing a US defense official.

The television channel quoted the official as saying that F-16s and Patriots "require specific technical expertise to maintain."

According to the official, these contractors will be located far from combat operations areas. "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," the official said.

Reuters reported earlier that the US Department of Defense had lifted a ban on sending US defense contractors to Ukraine to repair and maintain US-provided weaponry.

The Pentagon has been unavailable for comment.

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