The Trump administration intends to pull back roughly a third of the fighter jets the United States provides to NATO forces in Europe, according to officials and a written plan that offers rare detail about the extent of the planned military reduction. The move represents a significant shift in US commitment to the alliance and its role in European defense.
The plan, which has been outlined in a document reviewed by officials, provides unusual transparency into the administration's intentions to scale back American military presence in the region. The withdrawal would affect fighter jet squadrons currently deployed to support NATO operations and deterrence missions across Europe. The decision comes amid broader debates about burden-sharing within the alliance and US military commitments abroad.
The reduction in fighter aircraft would mark a notable decrease in American air power available for NATO missions, including quick reaction alert duties, training exercises, and potential responses to threats along the alliance's eastern flank. These aircraft have been part of the US contribution to NATO's integrated air defense system and collective defense posture since the Cold War era. The jets provide both a deterrent capability and rapid response option for the alliance.
Officials familiar with the plan say the document spells out timelines and specific units that would be affected by the drawdown. The withdrawal would require NATO allies to either fill the gap with their own air forces or accept a reduced overall capability for the alliance. European members have been increasing their own defense spending in recent years, but questions remain about their ability to immediately compensate for a reduction in American fighter squadrons.
The announcement follows years of pressure from the Trump administration for European allies to increase their defense budgets and assume greater responsibility for their own security. The fighter jet withdrawal plan represents one of the most concrete steps yet toward reducing the American military footprint that has anchored European defense for decades. The change could reshape NATO operations and force adjustments to existing defense planning across the continent.