US plans major cut to fighter jets and warships for NATO operations in Europe
The decision would limit NATO's ability to launch long-range strikes and conduct surveillance
The United States plans to significantly reduce the aircraft and warships that it makes available for NATO operations in Europe.
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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 decision would limit NATO's ability to launch long-range strikes and conduct surveillance, the report said.
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.
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.
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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.
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.
NATO and the U.S. Department of Defense did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment.