US to cut fighter jets, warships for NATO Europe ops, NYT reports
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The United States plans to significantly reduce the number of fighter jets and warships allocated to NATO operations in Europe, the New York Times reported on Friday. The proposed cuts would affect the US commitment to the alliance's deterrence posture against Russia.
The Reported Plan
According to the New York Times, citing unnamed US officials, the Pentagon is considering reducing the number of fighter squadrons deployed in Europe from about 10 to 6, and cutting the number of warships from around 20 to 12. The plan would also scale back the US Army's rotational presence by roughly 10,000 troops, from 30,000 to 20,000. The report did not specify a timeline for implementation.
NATO and European Reaction
NATO officials declined to comment on the report, but alliance diplomats expressed concern that the cuts could undermine deterrence against Russia. European allies, particularly those on the eastern flank, have long pressed the US to maintain a robust military footprint. The reported reductions come as NATO prepares for its next summit in July.
What's Next
The Pentagon is expected to review the proposal in the coming weeks, with a final decision possible by late summer. It remains unclear whether the cuts would be phased or implemented all at once, and how European allies might respond.
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US to cut fighter jets, warships for NATO Europe ops, NYT reports
