US to 'reduce Europe's deep strike capabilities'

Europe may soon be unable to rely on the United States for deep strike capabilities, according to the Euronews website, which says Washington intends to cut NATO allies' access to its warships and fighter jets.

The change is reportedly part of US President Donald Trump's plan to extricate his country from Europe's security architecture, and follows Washington telling its European NATO allies last year it was planning to reduce military assets in Europe. Since then, details of the planned change have been scant.

Euronews said its sources have now confirmed the US intends to slash deep strike capabilities in Europe, with long-range US bombers, including the B2 and B-52, likely to be recalled along with naval assets, such as missile-launching submarines and aircraft carriers.

Euronews said the personnel and hardware would be relocated to other parts of the world.

The New York Times has also reported the expected redeployment, and said the US is likely to also reduce the number of F-16 and F-15E fighter jets available to its European NATO allies, from today's 150 to 100.

The New York Times said its sources believe Washington will also cut maritime reconnaissance aircraft stationed in Europe, from 26 to 15. And it said the US will withdraw all eight of its aerial refueling tankers.

The details follow the US European Command saying last week it was planning to "right size" its European assets.

Mark Rutte, NATO's secretary-general, said last month US troop and hardware cuts in the European theater would not cause a problem, because European countries have been spending more on their militaries and building up their capabilities.

"We know that adjustments will take place, the US has to pivot toward, for example, Asia," Rutte said.

Some observers have said Trump's relocation of military assets could be about them being needed elsewhere but could also be about him showing his displeasure with European allies for not supporting him when he launched his attack on Iran.

Trump expressed his anger in March, after some European NATO allies refused to allow US planes to use their airspace en route to Iran, writing on social media: "Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER!"

He went on to write "COWARDS … We will REMEMBER!"

But European nations have responded to US threats to minimize its NATO commitment by announcing plans to make up for the loss, with Germany's ambassador to Washington telling Fox News Digital that Berlin wants to grow its military might.

"Germany is stepping up," Ambassador Jens Hanefeld said. "We heard the call!"

Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz said recently he now wants his country's armed forces to become the strongest conventional army in Europe.