US Plans to Cut Military Assets for NATO in Europe

The United States plans to significantly reduce the number of aircraft and military vessels it makes available for NATO operations in Europe, The New York Times reported, citing two senior European officials.

According to the report, the move would limit the Alliance’s ability to conduct reconnaissance missions and carry out long-range strikes. Washington reportedly plans to cut the number of F-16 and F-15E fighter jets from about 150 to 100, reduce its fleet of maritime reconnaissance aircraft from 26 to 15 and withdraw all eight tanker aircraft assigned to Europe.

Missile-armed submarines, an aircraft carrier, several warships and dozens of aircraft deployed for European operations are also expected to be affected. One of the two bomber groups assigned to the defense of Europe could also be redeployed.

US European Command said last week that the US contribution to the NATO Force Model would be “optimized”, without giving further details.

President Donald Trump’s administration has long criticized European countries for low defense spending and urged allies to raise it to 3.5% of gross domestic product.

(reuters, bak)