US refuses to send specialists to Ukraine for F-16 maintenance
Photo: Biden's office refused to send specialists to Ukraine to repair F-16s (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
The administration of US President Joe Biden has not allowed civilian contractors to be sent to Ukraine to maintain Western equipment, including F-16 fighter jets. The reason is a security threat, reports The Wall Street Journal.
According to WSJ sources, the National Security Council considered a proposal to send civilian contractors to Ukraine to maintain the equipment provided. But intelligence and others said it would be too risky.
The intelligence community has expressed concern about the prospect of a Russian attack on American contractors in Ukraine, a US official said.
The US hopes that European countries will take most of the F-16 maintenance obligations.
Several Pentagon representatives have spoken in favor of sending specialists to Ukraine. However, Biden and his national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, have expressed concern that the US Defense Department does not have adequate response plans in case Russia attacks the specialists.
The WSJ notes that without civilian American contractors, it will be difficult for Ukraine to maintain the F-16.
Ukraine receives F-16s
In early August, it was officially announced that Ukraine had received F-16 fighters from its partners.
Recently, one of the F-16s transferred to Ukraine was lost. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the fighter jet took part in repelling a massive Russian attack on August 26. The plane lost contact while approaching the next target.
Pilot Oleksii Mes “Moonfish” was killed in the crash.
Read more about the first loss of an F-16 and what is known about pilot Oleksii Mes in RBC-Ukraine's report.
