US to Significantly Reduce Military Assets for NATO Operations in Europe
Overview of US Military Reductions for NATO in Europe
Report Details and Sources
June 12 (Reuters) - The United States plans to significantly reduce the aircraft and warships that it makes available for NATO operations in Europe, the New York Times reported on Friday, citing two senior European officials.
The decision would limit NATO's ability to launch long-range strikes and conduct surveillance, the report said.
Specific Reductions in Military Assets
The U.S. plan includes cutting the number of F-16 and F-15E fighter jets from roughly 150 to 100, as well as reducing maritime reconnaissance aircraft from 26 to 15 and removing all eight aerial refuelling tanker jets it previously made available to Europe, the report said.
Redeployment of Naval and Air Assets
It also aims to redeploy a missile-launching submarine and an aircraft carrier, along with several warships and scores of jets that join the carrier’s missions, the New York Times said, adding that one of two groups of bombers previously assigned for Europe’s defence may also be reallocated.
Reactions and Official Statements
Reuters could not immediately verify the report. NATO and the U.S. Department of Defense did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The U.S. Eastern Command said in a statement last week that it would "rightsize" its contributions to the NATO Force Model, without providing further details.
Background on US-NATO Military Contributions
Reuters reported in May that the U.S. planned to scale back the military capabilities it would make available to its alliance allies during a major crisis.
Context of US Demands on Allied Defense Spending
U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has repeatedly accused European governments of underinvesting in their militaries and relying too heavily on U.S. protection, while urging both Europe and Asian allies to boost defence spending to 3.5% of GDP.
(Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Kate Mayberry)
