The United States plans to significantly reduce the number of fighter jets and warships for NATO operations in Europe, The New York Times reports.
F16 planes PHOTO: Archive
According to the written plan, it would be about withdrawing a third of the fighter jets that the United States has made available to NATO for the old continent.
The number of F-15E and F-16 aircraft would be reduced from 150 to 100, the number of maritime reconnaissance from 26 to 15, with the cutting of all refueling aircraft from the list, according to TVR Info, citing the New York Post.
Also, the relocation of a submarine and an aircraft carrier, together with the ships and dozens of accompanying fighter planes, would be foreseen. The information was confirmed by two top European sources.
The decision would limit NATO's ability to launch long-range attacks and conduct surveillance operations.
The plan, quoted in fragments, provides rare clarity on the extent to which the Trump administration intends to reduce its commitment to NATO, overseas journalists note. The decision was communicated to allies in early June, according to The New York Times.
