The US State Department approved a request for $100 million for the maintenance of US systems and equipment provided by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Pentagon said.
“The State Department has decided to approve a possible foreign military sale to the Government of Ukraine of a general maintenance order for systems and related equipment supplied by the US military with an estimated value of $100 million.” – says the message.
The Pentagon added that Ukraine has an “urgent need” to maintain weapons systems and equipment provided by the United States.
“Such support will have a direct impact on combat effectiveness, overall operational performance, logistics and reducing financial costs through a more sustainable and faster repair cycle.” — say the US Department of Defense.
Previously, the United States encouraged the participation of Pentagon contractors in Ukraine to service weapons transferred to kyiv. As CNN reported, contractors authorized by the Ministry of Defense to be present in Ukraine will repair and maintain Patriot air defense systems and F-16 fighters.
In June, CNN reported, citing officials, that the White House was working to lift the de facto ban on the deployment of US military contractors to Ukraine. The White House has not yet received approval from the president, officials said.
Foreign Policy magazine previously reported that Ukrainian companies do not have permission to repair the barrels of American M777 howitzers under US export laws. At the same time, experts cannot go to the front and help in the repair of American equipment due to restrictions on the movement of American diplomats without permission from the White House, which also applies to contractors, RIA Novosti reminds.
