The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to sharply reduce the number of fighter jets and maritime patrol aircraft assigned to NATO operations in Europe, while redeploying a submarine, an aircraft carrier, and several other warships. The plan, confirmed by European officials on Friday after a report by The New York Times, comes as Washington seeks to concentrate military resources in the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas.
Specifically, the U.S. intends to cut the number of F-16 and F-15E fighter jets for NATO from about 150 to 100, and maritime surveillance aircraft from 26 to 15. All eight aerial refueling aircraft will also be withdrawn from Europe. According to The New York Times, one of two strategic bomber groups previously assigned to European defense will be moved to another region, while a missile-armed submarine and an aircraft carrier will be stationed elsewhere.
NATO officials said the alliance was aware of some of the U.S. cutback plans and sought to view them positively. NATO spokesperson Allison Hart asserted that the redeployment would benefit long-term sustainability: "This change strengthens NATO's defense plans by reducing over-reliance on any single ally."
However, these reductions—affecting NATO's reconnaissance and long-range strike capabilities—along with the U.S. pullback, force the alliance to consider alternative plans for defending Europe in the event of a Russian attack. But Washington's erratic planning is making it difficult for European member states to set priorities.
U.S. General Alex Grynkewich, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander, said at an air show in Berlin on Thursday that the focus should be on items that can be purchased quickly, deployed fast, and scaled up rapidly—such as long-range firepower and drones—to mitigate immediate risks.
President Trump has repeatedly criticized NATO, accusing it of not fully supporting U.S. and Israeli operations against Iran, and labeling the alliance a "paper tiger." He has also charged European governments with underinvesting in their militaries and relying too heavily on U.S. protection, calling on allies to increase defense spending to 3.5% of GDP.
Trump is expected to attend the NATO summit in Turkey on July 7-8. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the meeting as "probably the most important in NATO's history, because there are some things that need to be clarified and fixed."
