The United States wants to significantly reduce the number of fighter planes, warships and other military assets available for NATO operations in Europe. ‘The New York Times’ and the German newspaper ‘Die Welt’ report this based on internal military documents and conversations with top European officials. According to the plans, Washington would withdraw a third of the fighter planes it makes available for NATO operations in Europe.
Journalist at HLN
According to the documents, the number of American F-15 and F-16 fighter aircraft available to NATO in a crisis will increase from approximately 150 to approximately 100. Fewer maritime reconnaissance aircraft will also be deployed and all eight American tanker aircraft that support European NATO operations in the air will disappear.
The American presence at sea is also shrinking. An aircraft carrier, a submarine, several other warships and some of the strategic bombers will be deployed elsewhere.
The plans were said to have been shared with allies at the beginning of this month. The Pentagon has not confirmed the exact numbers, but previously stated that the US wants to shift its military focus more to the Indo-Pacific region. The timeline for the withdrawal has also not yet been made public, but US officials have indicated that it will come into effect very soon – much sooner than their European counterparts expected.
This (…) represents a significant change in strategy and jeopardizes European deterrence preparedness on all fronts
The plans are in line with President Donald Trump’s policy to reduce US military deployment in Europe and free up more resources for other regions. US Commander-in-Chief for Europe General Alexus Grynkewich reiterated earlier this month that NATO has become “too dependent” on US military support. “That has to change, and that will change.”
Russian threat
According to experts, NATO risks losing important combat power due to the withdrawal of American military equipment. In particular, the capacity to track Russian submarines or fire long-range missiles would come under pressure. At the end of May, a Russian drone struck an apartment building in Romania, NATO territory. That incident fueled fears that the war in Ukraine could spread further to Europe.
“Individually, each savings is still achievable, but together they represent a significant change in strategy and endanger Europe’s deterrence preparedness on all fronts,” said Giuseppe Spatafora of the European Union Institute for Security Studies, a Paris-based think tank.