NYT: US to scale back aircraft, naval assets assigned to NATO in Europe

The United States is preparing to significantly reduce the aircraft and warships it assigns to NATO operations in Europe, in a move that would curb key alliance capabilities and accelerate Washington’s shift away from its traditional security role on the continent, according to senior European officials.

The planned adjustments, communicated to allies in a written document in early June and reviewed in part by The New York Times, would reduce NATO’s access to long-range strike, surveillance and refuelling capacity, while also limiting maritime monitoring operations.

Officials briefed on the changes said the proposed drawdown includes cutting the number of F-16 and F-15E fighter jets from around 150 to 100, reducing maritime reconnaissance aircraft from 26 to 15, and removing all eight aerial refuelling tanker jets previously assigned to Europe.

The plan also envisages reallocating a missile-launching submarine, an aircraft carrier, several warships and associated carrier strike group assets, as well as scaling back one of two bomber groups previously positioned for European defence.

The Pentagon declined to comment on specific figures, referring instead to a recent statement from the U.S. European Command indicating broader plans to adjust force posture in Europe.

The proposed reductions come as the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation evaluates its long-term deterrence strategy amid continued tensions with Russia. European officials said they were not expecting such an abrupt timeline, with implementation expected much sooner than previously anticipated.

The changes reflect a broader policy direction under U.S. President Donald Trump, who has long argued for reducing American security commitments abroad and shifting greater responsibility to European allies.

The Pentagon has not yet confirmed the timeline for the drawdown, but officials indicated it could begin imminently.

Military analysts say the reduction could affect NATO’s ability to monitor Russian submarine activity and conduct long-range strike operations, although European forces retain some comparable capabilities.

By Aghakazim Guliyev