NATO: US presents a plan for withdrawal from Europe

The United States has submitted to NATO a document containing a plan for the reduction of the US military presence in Europe, including the air force and navy. The reason for this withdrawal, which has been set out in detail in writing for the first time, is said to be the shift in American strategic focus towards the Pacific region. The US plan was revealed by the German newspaper Welt, which analysed the documentation submitted to NATO.

According to *Welt*, the documents submitted to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) reportedly contain a rather concise table, comprising eleven items and numerous abbreviations. This short list, classified as “Secret”, provides the first concrete indication of which military capabilities the United States intends to withdraw from NATO. The cuts would primarily affect the NATO Force Model (NATO Force Model), which sets out how many and which forces the Alliance can deploy to the front line within ten days, between ten and thirty days, and, at the latest, within six months. As regards the assets deployed, the first reductions concern the air forces. The number of KC-135 tanker aircraft provided by the United States to the Alliance would be reduced from 71 to 63; the eight modern KC-46s would be completely removed from the planning; the F-16 fighter jets would be reduced from 99 to 63; and the F-15Es from 54 to 36.

Furthermore, Washington plans to remove all long-range strategic reconnaissance drones from NATO planning entirely and to reduce the number of MQ-9 attack drones. As for the naval component, the United States intends to withdraw one of the two aircraft carrier strike groups; almost half of the cruiser and destroyer formations, and the submarine capabilities for launching cruise missiles. The number of Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft would also be reduced from 26 to 15, the German newspaper adds. A reduction in the bomber force is also planned: of the two bomber groups currently planned, only one would remain.

How to fill the void

The German newspaper points out that the question of how to fill the gaps left by the reduction in the US contribution will be discussed in mid-June at the level of the defence ministries of the allied nations. An agreed position is expected to be presented during the NATO summit on 7–8 July in Ankara. However, according to Welt, the United States does not intend to relinquish key command posts within the Alliance’s structure. In particular, the US military would continue to hold the post of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), as well as the tactical commands of the land, naval and air forces. Only the operational level of command would be entrusted entirely to the Europeans.