America is preparing to substantially decrease the military aircraft and naval vessels it provides for NATO missions across Europe, according to a Friday report from the New York Times that cited two high-ranking European officials.
These reductions would hamper NATO’s capacity to execute long-distance strikes and carry out surveillance operations, according to the reporting.
The American proposal involves decreasing F-16 and F-15E fighter aircraft numbers from approximately 150 down to 100, while also cutting maritime reconnaissance planes from 26 to 15 and eliminating all eight aerial refueling tanker aircraft previously allocated to Europe, the report indicated.
The plan also seeks to reassign a submarine capable of launching missiles and an aircraft carrier, together with multiple warships and numerous jets that participate in the carrier’s operations, the New York Times reported, noting that one of two bomber groups formerly designated for European defense might also be relocated.
Reuters was unable to immediately confirm the reporting. Both NATO and the U.S. Department of Defense did not provide immediate responses to comment requests.
The U.S. Eastern Command released a statement last week indicating it would “rightsize” its NATO Force Model contributions, though no additional specifics were provided.
Reuters had previously reported in May that America intended to reduce the military resources it would offer to alliance partners during significant crises.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has consistently criticized European nations for insufficient military investment and excessive dependence on American defense, while pushing both European and Asian partners to increase defense expenditures to 3.5% of GDP.
