NATO is expected to announce at next week’s summit in Ankara that its European members have closed nearly all the capability gaps left by the United States in the alliance’s defence plans, a NATO source told Reuters on Wednesday.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the main shortfall that remains is in strategic bombers, with the U.S. now offering only one aircraft instead of the two originally planned.
U.S. Reduces Military Commitments To NATO
The U.S. told its allies in May that it had decided to shrink the pool of military capabilities committed to the transatlantic alliance in a crisis, raising urgent questions as leaders prepare for a NATO summit in Ankara on July 7 to 8.
The move is meant to gradually end an “unhealthy co-dependence” on U.S. forces as Washington faces the potential of simultaneous conflicts in multiple theatres, according to NATO’s top commander, U.S. Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich.
In mid-June, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said other allies were increasing their contributions and would fill “a lot” of the gaps but did not give any details.
“In a matter of weeks, European allies have largely filled the gaps left by American reductions to the NATO Force Model,” a senior NATO military official said, responding to a request for comment to NATO.
The U.S. did not publicly disclose details of its reductions, but they range from refuelling aircraft to fighter jets, drones and ships, according to figures provided to Reuters by a military source.
Cuts Span Fighter Jets, Drones And Warships
The number of U.S. F-15 and F-15E fighter jets available to NATO will fall by a third to 99 and the number of MQ-4 and MQ-9 Reaper drones by half to 12, according to the source.
The number of KC-135 and KC-46 refuelling aircraft falls to 63 from 79, while only one strategic bomber and aircraft carrier would be allocated, rather than two.
The number of maritime patrol aircraft goes down to 15 from 26, the number of destroyers falls to nine from 17, and the only submarine carrying cruise missiles is also cut from the commitments.
The NATO alliance is under unprecedented strain, with some European countries concerned that Washington may fulfil repeated threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to withdraw.
(With inputs from Reuters)
