NATO Commander Says Europe Has Backfilled Most Gaps From US Cutbacks on Military Equipment
NATO’s top commander said Europe filled most shortfalls after U.S. cuts, with alternate capabilities planned for the remaining gaps.
- European NATO allies have largely filled gaps left by U.S. reductions to the NATO Force Model, Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Alexus Grynkewich reported on Thursday, noting this occurred "in a matter of weeks."
- The Pentagon informed allies of these reductions to focus on potential threats from China in the Indo-Pacific region, a decision that took many nations by surprise and prompted urgent inventory reviews.
- U.S. reductions included cutting maritime patrol aircraft to 15 from 26 and destroyers to nine from 17, while refuelling aircraft fell to 63 from 79 and only one strategic bomber would be allocated instead of two.
- For remaining shortfalls, Grynkewich said the alliance is "looking at alternate capabilities with matching effect," while NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte downplayed concerns, stating the United States would shift resources to Europe if conflict arose.
- These force planning adjustments arrive days before President Donald Trump and allied leaders gather for a July 7-8 summit in Turkey, where the 32 NATO member nations will focus on crisis readiness.
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Europeans to fill almost all gaps left by US in NATO defense plans, source says
European NATO allies have largely filled the gaps left by the United States in the alliance’s defense plans, NATO’s top commander said on Thursday, adding the bloc was looking at workarounds to address the remaining shortfalls in a few areas.“In a matter of weeks, European allies have largely filled the gaps left by U.S. reductions to the NATO Force Model,” NATO’s top commander, U.S. Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, said in information provi…
Associated Press News
NATO commander says Europe has backfilled most gaps from US cutbacks on military equipment
NATO’s top commander says European allies have mostly filled gaps left by the U.S. reducing its military contributions to the organization's crisis plans.
Europe Fills Most US Defense Gaps in NATO Ahead of Ankara Summit
The development comes as the United States reshapes its military commitments to NATO, reflecting Washington’s growing focus on preparing for potential conflicts in multiple regions, particularly the Indo-Pacific. In May, the U.S. informed allies it would reduce the pool of forces and capabilities earmarked for NATO operations, including fighter jets, drones, refuelling aircraft, naval assets […] The post Europe Fills Most US Defense Gaps in NATO…
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