
Report: US Plans to Cut Bombers, Firefighters and Warships Available to Europe In Time of War
The United States is preparing to significantly reduce the military resources it makes available to NATO allies during future crises, according to a new report outlining major planned cutbacks involving bombers, fighter jets, naval forces, and reconnaissance assets.
German publication Der Spiegel reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth informed senior NATO officials during meetings in Brussels last week that Washington intends to scale back several key military commitments to the alliance.
Among the proposed changes, the United States would reportedly cut in half the number of strategic bombers available to NATO operations.
According to the report, American envoy Alexander Velez-Green also told alliance members that the number of U.S. fighter aircraft deployed for NATO missions would be reduced by roughly one-third.
The report further stated that the U.S. Navy plans to stop assigning nuclear submarines to NATO altogether and will also decrease the number of destroyers it contributes to alliance operations.
Sources cited by Spiegel said the United States additionally intends to retain full control over its reconnaissance drone fleet while limiting NATO access to American attack UAVs.
The move reflects a broader push to reduce America’s military footprint in Europe, a policy shift that has accelerated under President Trump, who has repeatedly criticized NATO countries for failing to adequately fund their own defense systems and for relying too heavily on Washington’s military power.
Trump has long argued that many NATO members allowed their armed forces to weaken while depending on the United States to shoulder the burden of European security.
At the same time, European governments have sharply increased defense spending in recent years following Russian invasion of Ukraine, amid growing concerns over Russia’s military ambitions and regional instability.
The United States currently maintains approximately 68,000 active-duty troops stationed throughout Europe, with the largest concentration based in Germany.