The United States will send up to eight new F-35 fighter jets and three dozen AH-64 attack helicopters to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank amid tensions over Ukraine, RIA Novosti reports.
This was announced by Pentagon spokesman John Kirby during a briefing on Wednesday.
“We are talking about the transfer of up to eight F-35 fighters from Germany to several operational locations along the eastern flank,” he said.
Also, according to Kirby, two dozen AH-64 helicopters will be sent from Germany to the Baltic States, another 12 from Greece to Poland.
In addition, the United States intends to send a battalion tactical group of 800 troops to the Baltic States.
According to a representative of the US military department, this reinforcement is temporary.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko agreed to strengthen military cooperation following the growing activity of NATO on the eastern borders of the alliance.