US plans to cut bombers, fighter jets and warships available to NATO allies in time of war: report

Kathleen Joyce / NEW YORK POST

 

The US is set to reduce the number of bombers, fighter jets and warships available to NATO allies during times of crisis, according to a new report.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth informed senior NATO officials in Brussels last week that the US would shrink its available resources for the bloc, including cutting the number of strategic bombers by half, German news outlet Spiegel reported.

The number of US fighter jets deployed would be cut by a third, American envoy Alexander Velez-Green told NATO members, according to the outlet.

The US Navy reportedly said it would no longer provide nuclear submarines to the alliance, and deploy fewer destroyers than before.

The US would also keep all its reconnaissance drones to itself while scaling back the availability of its attack UAVs, sources told Spiegel.

The push to reduce US forces in Europe — which began as a Cold War bulwark against the Soviet Union — has accelerated under President Trump, who has long criticized NATO members for failing to fund their own defense and letting their military capabilities languish.

Europe has ramped up its defense spending in recent years following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The US currently has about 68,000 active duty troops in Europe in bases across the continent — though most are stationed in Germany. 

Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby had previously stated that the US will continue to use its nuclear weapons to protect NATO members. 

More details of America’s decision to scale back its alliance with the defense block is expected to be released in early June, according to the outlet. 

The move comes after Trump slammed NATO for its lack of support on his decision to go to war with Iran and to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by force, as well as a failed bid to take control of Greenland.  

At the time, Trump said he was considering withdrawing from NATO as he questioned America’s commitment to the mutual defense pact, which has only been activated once after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack.  

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said last week that the block is expected to shift from the US, with the defense block looking to eliminate its “over-reliance” on a single ally. See video, and photos here.