The United States plans to significantly reduce the number of aircraft and naval assets it makes available to Nato operations in Europe, according to a report by The New York Times, which cited two senior European officials.
The newspaper said allies were informed of the decision in a written document circulated earlier this month, describing it as part of a broader shift in Washington’s security posture towards Europe.
According to the report, the proposed reductions include cutting the number of F-16 and F-15E fighter aircraft assigned to Nato missions from about 150 to 100, reducing maritime patrol aircraft from 26 to 15, and withdrawing all eight aerial refuelling aircraft currently allocated to Europe.
The changes would also reportedly involve the reassignment of an aircraft carrier, a missile submarine, several warships and strategic bombers, a move officials told the newspaper could weaken the alliance’s long-range strike and aerial reconnaissance capabilities.
