US Plans to Withdraw One Third of Its Fighter Jets from Europe

According to the New York Times, citing two senior European officials, the United States plans to drastically cut the number of aircraft and warships it provides for NATO operations in Europe. This decision will limit NATO’s ability to conduct long-range strikes and reconnaissance missions.

In early June, the US shared a document with allies outlining plans to reduce several military capabilities in Europe. The plan includes cutting the number of F-16 and F-15E fighter jets from about 150 to 100, reducing maritime patrol aircraft from 26 to 15, withdrawing one of two bomber groups assigned to Europe’s defense, and removing all eight aerial refueling tankers. Additionally, a ballistic missile submarine and an aircraft carrier along with its strike group warships would be repositioned.

The Pentagon has not officially confirmed specific numbers, instead referring to a previous statement by US European Command. However, US officials have hinted that the reduction process could happen much faster than European partners expect. A sudden decrease in US forces could affect NATO’s ability, for example, to track Russian submarines or conduct long-range strikes with Tomahawk missiles.

General Alexus Grinkiewicz, head of the Pentagon’s European Command, explained the decision as a necessary redistribution of resources. “In the NATO force model, there is an unhealthy co-dependence on US forces,” he said in early June.

The US is expected to accelerate the withdrawal of its troops from European bases and present proposals to NATO allies this June. In May, Washington announced plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, linking the move to disagreements between President Donald Trump and European leaders over Iran policy. The Pentagon estimated the withdrawal process would take six to twelve months. Trump has also indicated possible troop reductions in Spain and Italy.