Washington, Sept. 18 (SANA)The Pentagon is considering a plan to withdraw about 25,000 US troops from Europe, roughly one-third of its current deployment there, in what could become the largest such reduction since the end of the Cold War if implemented, NBC News reported.

The US network said, citing American and European officials, that the plan could also include the withdrawal of aircraft, ships and military equipment from the continent.

One US official said the number of troops affected could rise to about 40,000, while officials said Germany, Italy and Spain could be among the countries impacted by the potential cuts due to their large US military presence.The proposal is expected to be presented to US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Nov. 6, according to the officials.

The Pentagon announced in June that it had begun a review of the size and deployment of US forces in Europe. A senior Pentagon official said, however, that no decision has been made so far on reducing troop numbers or the scale of any possible withdrawal.FJ/HH