NATO Commander: European Allies Have Largely Filled Gaps From US Military Reductions

NATO’s top commander, U.S. Gen. Alex Grynkewich, announced that European allies have substantially filled the voids left by the United States' decision to reduce its military contributions to the alliance's crisis response plans. This move by the U.S. signals a shift in focus towards potential threats in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly concerning China.

The U.S. informed its NATO allies on June 3 that it would no longer supply certain assets, including an aircraft carrier and its support ships, aerial refueling planes, and numerous fighter jets, to the continent. This decision surprised many member nations.

Grynkewich stated that within weeks, European allies had largely replenished the capabilities within the NATO Force Model, the alliance’s primary plan for mobilizing forces from its 32 member nations during times of peace, crisis, or war. The model outlines military assets available in phases during the initial six months of any conflict.

"In those few areas where they haven’t, where they do not currently have a like capability to replace, we are looking at alternate capabilities with matching effect," Grynkewich told The Associated Press, though he did not provide specific details.

In response to the U.S. cutbacks, European allies and Canada have reviewed their military inventories to identify assets that could be deployed in case of an attack. For instance, Britain has increased the readiness of a second aircraft carrier and its F-35 fighter jets for potential emergency use.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has previously downplayed the impact of the U.S. decision, suggesting that the United States would likely reallocate more resources to Europe if a conflict arose. He emphasized that the arrangement is about the commitment of forces and assets if defense plans are activated, particularly in an Article 5 scenario, where an attack on one ally is considered an attack on all.

Force planning is expected to be a significant topic at the upcoming NATO summit on July 7-8 in Turkey, where President Donald Trump and other leaders will gather.