Task: US hijacks fighter jets in NATO countries

TT

Published 09.11

 

An F16 fighter jet during an exercise in Greece last year. Photo: Thanassis Stavrakis/AP/TT

The US plans to withdraw a third of the fighter jets and warships that have been made available for NATO operations in Europe, two European officials told The New York Times.

The decision will limit NATO's ability to, among other things, long-range attacks and surveillance and, according to the sources, was communicated in writing in early June. The newspaper has partially reviewed the documents.

For example, the F16 and F15E fighter jets will be reduced from 150 to 100 vehicles on European soil.

It is the clearest picture yet of how President Donald Trump plans to reduce the US's involvement in the NATO defense alliance.

The Pentagon has not communicated the timetable for the withdrawal, but according to US officials, it will happen very soon.