The United States Will Significantly Reduce the Number of Deployed Fighter Jets in Europe

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, June 13 - U.S. media disclosed on the 12th that the United States will significantly reduce the number of fighter jets deployed in NATO ally countries in Europe, while also reducing the deployment of aircraft carriers, warships, and submarines in European allies.

The New York Times reported that, according to two senior European officials and a written document provided by the U.S. to NATO allies earlier this month, the U.S. will reduce the number of F-16 and F-15E fighter jets from 150 to 100; the number of maritime reconnaissance aircraft will decrease from 26 to 15; and all 8 aerial refueling aircraft will be withdrawn.

In addition, one aircraft carrier, a number of warships, one submarine, and one of the two bomber groups stationed in Europe will be redeployed.

The Pentagon refused to disclose more details about the force adjustments, only mentioning a statement released by the U.S. European Command earlier this month. The U.S. European Command stated on the 3rd that the U.S. has informed allies that it will "adjust its contributions to NATO forces" based on the 2026 Defense Strategy and the Department of Defense's vision for "NATO 3.0."

General Christopher Cavoli, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander in Europe and Commander of U.S. European Command, stated that the U.S. has made it clear that NATO is overly reliant on U.S. military forces, and this must change. NATO allies are increasingly capable of independently deploying and defending the alliance, and the related adjustments will ensure that NATO no longer excessively relies on U.S. military strength. Furthermore, due to the potential for conflicts to erupt simultaneously in multiple theaters, such adjustments are imperative.

The U.S. has not publicly released a timeline for the adjustment plan. Some U.S. officials disclosed that the adjustments will begin soon, much earlier than European allies had anticipated. (Hui Xiaoshuang)