US to Cut NATO Crisis Support, Shifting Burden to Europe

The United States is preparing to significantly reduce the military resources it would make available to NATO in a major crisis, according to reports detailing a recent closed-door briefing for alliance members. The proposed cuts would shift a greater share of conventional defense responsibilities onto European allies.

The plans were reportedly outlined by U.S. envoy Alexander Velez-Green during a confidential meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels last week. Under the proposed changes to the NATO Force Model, which governs how member states contribute forces during a conflict, the U.S. would cut its commitment of fighter jets by roughly one-third and halve the number of strategic bombers available to the alliance. The U.S. Navy would also make fewer destroyers available and would cease providing submarines entirely for NATO operations.

European members would be expected to assume greater responsibility for key support capabilities, including reconnaissance drones and aerial refueling aircraft, assets traditionally supplied in large part by the United States for sustaining long-range operations. Officials were told further details would be provided at a NATO force generation...