WASHINGTON: The United States plans to significantly reduce the aircraft and warships 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.
The US plan includes cutting the number of F-16 and F-15E fighter jets from roughly 150 to 100, reducing maritime reconnaissance aircraft from 26 to 15, and removing all eight aerial refuelling tanker jets previously made available to Europe, according to the report.
The United States also aims to redeploy a missile-launching submarine and an aircraft carrier, along with several warships and scores of jets that support carrier missions. The New York Times added that one of the two bomber groups previously assigned for Europe’s defence may also be reassigned.
“Historically there has been an over-reliance on US forces and capabilities,” NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said, noting that as Europe and Canada invest more in defence and develop greater capabilities, the balance of responsibility can shift.
She added that this shift would strengthen NATO’s defence by reducing dependence on a single ally and reflect a broader transformation within the alliance, according to an emailed statement.
The US Department of Defence did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Last week, US European Command said it would “rightsize” its contributions to the NATO Force Model, but did not provide further details.