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The U.S. is planning to sharply reduce the forces it would provide to NATO in the event of a security crisis in Europe, according to reporting, a move that could shift more of the defense burden onto European allies. The cuts are said to target fighter aircraft, strategic bombers, air-refueling tankers, and naval assets including submarines and destroyers.
On May 26 (local time), Reuters reported that Germany’s Der Spiegel said the U.S. intends to substantially scale back the forces it assigns to support Europe. Reuters, citing people familiar with the matter, said the Trump administration planned to brief allies on the shift.
According to Der Spiegel, Alexander Velesgrin, a senior adviser to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, outlined the plan at an informal meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels. The U.S. would cut the number of fighters it makes available to NATO by about one-third and reduce strategic bomber contributions to roughly half of current levels.
Air-refueling tankers, drones and naval forces would also be adjusted. Der Spiegel reported that Europe may need to field its own reconnaissance drones, and that the U.S. plans to limit deliveries of armed drones. The report also said the U.S. may stop providing submarines to NATO and will scale back destroyer support.
The move dovetails with the Trump administration’s long-standing pressure on European allies to boost defense spending. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized European partners for not carrying a sufficient share of the security burden.
The development could accelerate discussions within NATO about recalibrating military roles. Reuters said NATO has acknowledged its heavy reliance on the U.S. and indicated that military responsibilities could be adjusted as Europe and Canada increase their defense investments.
The U.S. has not announced any intention to leave NATO. But if the core capabilities it would provide in a crisis are reduced, European countries are likely to face a larger independent defense burden.
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