WASHINGTON(National Times)- 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 it previously made available to Europe, the report said.
The US also aims to redeploy a missile-launching submarine and an aircraft carrier, along with several warships and scores of jets that join the carriers missions, the New York Times said, adding that one of two groups of bombers previously assigned for Europe’s defence may also be reallocated.
“Historically there has been an over-reliance on US forces and capabilities,” Nato spokesperson Allison Hart said, adding that as Europe and Canada invest more in defence and develop greater capabilities, the balance of responsibility can shift.
This would strengthen Nato’s defence by reducing reliance on a single ally and reflect a broader change happening within the alliance, Hart said in 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, without providing further details.
