The US plans to send 3,000 more troops and over 150 tanks to Europe by the end of the year to bolster its presence in the region, a top commander announced.
The US, which already has around 67,000 troops in Europe, expects over 3,000 soldiers to arrive on the continent between March and the fall, Lt. Gen Frederick Ben Hodges, Commander of US Army Europe said, RT reported.
“I anticipate that almost the entire 1st Brigade of 3rd Division will come over in March, so you’re looking at probably over 3,000 soldiers that would be part of a brigade combat team like that,” Hodges said.
They’ll be followed by more than 150 tanks and other military vehicles that will be deployed in Europe “by the end of 2015,” the commander said.
It’s not yet decided where the new tanks are to be stationed, with Germany being among the most probable locations. Hodges said that the US was not planning to deploy any additional permanent troops to Europe with the equipment as it will be serviced by personnel rotating through the continent.
For now two brigades remain in Europe, the 173rd Airborne Brigade bases in Vicenza, Italy, and the 2nd Stryker Brigade in German Vilseck.
The news comes in the wake of the US Air Force decision to shut 15 bases across Europe, including in UK and Germany.
Due to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, more American troops and vehicles are now available for service in Europe. There were no American tanks in Europe in early 2014, but the US began redeploying armored fighting vehicles to the continent after Russia reunited with the republic of Crimea last March.
