U.S. to send warplanes, anti-missile system to Jordan

WASHINGTON, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military said on Monday that it is sending F-16 fighter jets and a Patriot anti-missile battery to Jordan, so as to bolster the country's security in case the violence in Syria spills over.

According to a statement from Lieutenant Colonel T.G. Taylor, spokesperson of the U.S. Central Command, the deployment will take place before this month's multinational training exercise in Jordan, codenamed Eager Lion. The systems will take part in the exercise, but it is understood that they may stay in Jordan after the drill.

"In order to enhance the defensive posture and capacity of Jordan, some of these assets may remain beyond the exercise at the request of the government of Jordan," Taylor said.

It is unclear how many F-16s would be taking part in the exercise, or how many aircraft might stay in Jordan afterwards. The Patriot battery is expected to be sent to Jordan from Fort Bliss, the U.S. state of Texas. It will provide missile defense for the country.

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