BERLIN, May 26. /TASS/. The United States intends to significantly reduce its contribution to NATO operations and provide fewer combat units and military personnel to the alliance, Pentagon envoy Alexander Velez-Green informed partners in Brussels late last week, German magazine Der Spiegel reported, citing sources.
According to the magazine, Washington plans to scale back its commitments under the NATO Force Model – the framework used for planning, deploying, and managing alliance forces – and expects European members to fill the resulting gaps themselves. The reductions reportedly concern combat aircraft, ships, drones, and refueling aircraft. The US is seeking a broader redistribution of the burden within NATO, Der Spiegel noted.
The report says Velez-Green presented specific figures, although neither the German government nor NATO’s press service has disclosed them publicly.
According to Der Spiegel, European officials did not expect such a significant reduction in the US military contribution to the alliance. Washington reportedly plans to cut the number of fighter jets allocated to NATO by about one-third, while also reducing the number of strategic bombers and destroyers assigned to alliance operations. The Pentagon will reportedly stop providing submarines for NATO missions. European countries will also be expected to secure their own reconnaissance drones.
The Pentagon envoy said the US remains ready to work closely with allies that move quickly to increase their contributions to NATO. According to the publication, Washington expects proposals from European countries in early June.
At the same time, the US has reportedly made clear that it intends to continue participating in nuclear deterrence efforts in Europe.