US to cut aircraft and warships deployed for NATO in Europe — NYT
Photo: The Pentagon declined to provide an official comment (Getty Images)
The US plans to significantly reduce the number of aircraft and ships allocated for NATO operations in Europe. Details of this large-scale withdrawal were communicated to allies in a written document in early June, according to The New York Times.
What is being cut
First and foremost, this concerns aviation: the number of F-16 and F-15E fighter jets is being reduced from 150 to 100. Naval reconnaissance aircraft are being reduced from 26 to 15, and all eight refueling aircraft previously available to Europe are being withdrawn entirely.
In addition to aviation, the US is redeploying a submarine equipped with cruise missiles and an aircraft carrier, along with its escort ships, to other regions.
One of the two groups of strategic bombers designated for the defense of Europe is also being withdrawn. The Pentagon declined to comment on specific figures.
Why it matters
The cuts will limit NATO’s ability to launch long-range strikes, conduct maritime reconnaissance, and track Russian submarines. According to the agency, the withdrawal will take place much sooner than European partners had expected.
The cuts come amid growing anxiety in Europe. In late May, a Russian drone struck a residential building in Romania, a NATO member country, for the first time.
Germany confirmed its withdrawal from the joint fighter jet project with France and Spain. In London, the British Defense Minister resigned over insufficient funding for the military.
