Media: US plans major reduction in forces assigned to NATO

The United States has informed NATO of plans to significantly reduce the military assets it has committed to the alliance's rapid-reaction force structure, according to German newspaper Welt.

The proposed changes would affect NATO’s Force Model, which identifies military units that member states can deploy to frontline operations within timeframes ranging from 10 days to six months.

According to the report, Washington intends to scale back a range of air and naval capabilities. The U.S. would reduce the number of F-16 multirole fighter aircraft assigned to NATO from 99 to 63 and cut F-15E fighter-bombers from 54 to 36.

Aerial refueling capabilities would also be reduced, with KC-135 tanker aircraft decreasing from 71 to 63, while all eight KC-46 Pegasus tankers currently allocated to the alliance would be withdrawn.

The planned reductions would also affect maritime surveillance and reconnaissance assets. The number of P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft would fall from 26 to 15. In addition, the United States reportedly plans to eliminate its contribution of long-range reconnaissance drones and nearly halve the number of MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicles available to NATO.

At sea, NATO would be left with only one U.S. aircraft carrier strike group instead of two. The alliance would also lose access to U.S. cruise missile-capable submarines assigned under the current force structure, while nearly half of the cruiser and destroyer formations responsible for air and missile defence, strike operations, and fleet escort duties would be removed. One of two bomber squadrons currently committed to NATO would also be withdrawn.

The reductions reflect Washington’s push for European allies and Canada to assume a greater share of the alliance’s defence responsibilities. Following a recent meeting of NATO military planners, General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, emphasised the need for allies to fill emerging capability gaps with their own resources.

NATO has not officially confirmed the specific figures cited in the report. Alliance spokesperson Allison Hart said the organisation had historically relied heavily on U.S. military capabilities, but growing defence spending across Europe and Canada could help rebalance responsibilities within the alliance.

Hart argued that such a shift would strengthen the long-term sustainability of NATO’s defence plans. However, European allies face pressure to act quickly. According to Welt, additional consultations are scheduled for mid-June, while NATO leaders are expected to discuss the issue at the alliance’s upcoming summit in Ankara on July 7–8.

With only weeks remaining before the summit, European governments are expected to intensify efforts to determine how potential shortfalls in U.S. military contributions could be addressed.

By Sabina Mammadli