US plans major cut to fighter jets, warships for European Nato operations

The US Eastern Command said in a statement last week that it would ‘rightsize’ its contributions to Nato. (EPA Images pic)

NEW YORK: The US plans to significantly reduce the aircraft and warships that 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, 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 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.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Nato and the US defence department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The US Eastern Command said in a statement last week that it would “rightsize” its contributions to the Nato Force Model, without providing further details.

Reuters reported in May that the US planned to scale back the military capabilities it would make available to its alliance allies during a major crisis.

US President Donald Trump’s administration has repeatedly accused European governments of underinvesting in ​their militaries and relying too heavily on US protection, while urging both Europe and Asian allies ⁠to boost defence spending to 3.5% of GDP.