US to Cut Military Support to NATO, Slashes Fighter and Bomber Numbers

According to Der Spiegel and Reuters, the US plans to significantly reduce military resources available to support NATO allies during crises, including fighter jets, warships, and aerial refueling tankers. Three sources told Reuters that the Trump administration plans to notify NATO allies that it will reduce the scale of military forces available to support allies during crises. Reports indicate that the US intends to provide only half the number of strategic bombers as before. Reuters pointed out that under the 'NATO Force Model' framework, NATO members pre-determine a set of forces that can be mobilized in the event of a major crisis, such as war or an attack on a member state. While the exact composition of these wartime forces is highly classified, sources revealed that the Pentagon has decided to significantly reduce the forces the US has committed to provide. US President Trump has made it clear that he expects European countries to take over the primary responsibility for European security from the US, and this message to allies is a concrete signal that the policy is being implemented. However, many details remain unclear, such as how quickly the Pentagon intends to transfer crisis response responsibilities to European allies. Der Spiegel reported that the scale of the US plan to reduce military contributions to NATO exceeds European expectations, and European politicians view this as a wake-up call. The magazine revealed that an envoy for Secretary of War Pete Hegseth briefed member states on the plan at NATO headquarters in Brussels late last week. According to the US envoy, Alexander Velez-Green, at a closed-door meeting, the number of US fighter jets available for NATO emergencies will be cut by one-third. In addition, the US Navy will reduce the number of missile destroyers available to NATO and does not plan to provide submarines to NATO anymore. Under these changes, Europe will be forced to find its own reconnaissance drones, and the US also intends to significantly reduce the number of armed drones provided to NATO. Der Spiegel pointed out that the US will provide further details at a force generation meeting in early June. President Trump previously criticized European allies for failing to actively support the US during the Iran war when the Strait of Hormuz was blocked by Iran, and has already indicated that he will withdraw about 5,000 US troops stationed in Germany. Furthermore, Trump has repeatedly expressed a desire to control Greenland, further exacerbating tensions in transatlantic relations. NATO is currently under unprecedented pressure, and some European countries fear that Washington might withdraw completely.