European allies fill most NATO gaps after US military cuts

Brussels,UPDATED: Jul 3, 2026 19:44 IST

NATO's top commander has said European allies have covered most of the gaps created after the United States decided to reduce some of its military contributions for times of crisis. The assessment comes days before US President Donald Trump and other leaders meet for a July 7-8 summit in Turkey, where force planning is expected to be a major issue.

US General Alex Grynkewich said European allies moved quickly after Washington signalled on June 3 that it would no longer provide certain assets to the continent, including an aircraft carrier and support ships, aerial refuelling planes and dozens of fighter jets. He also said work had begun on backup plans in case Europe comes under attack.

The NATO Force Model is the alliance's main plan for making forces from its 32 member nations available in peace, crisis or war. It sets out the military assets that commanders can call on in stages during the first six months of any conflict. "In a matter of weeks, European Allies have largely filled the gaps left by US reductions to the NATO Force Model," Grynkewich said. "And 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," he said, without giving details.

The Pentagon's decision took many allies by surprise. It told NATO partners that the US would provide less as it focuses on possible threats elsewhere, especially from China in the Indo-Pacific region. In response, European allies and Canada reviewed their inventories to see what could be offered if one of them came under attack. Britain, for example, has placed a second aircraft carrier and F35 fighter jets on a higher level of readiness for use in emergencies.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has played down the effect of the Trump administration's move. He has said the United States would shift more resources to Europe if conflict broke out, as it did during the war on Iran. "This is not about where forces and assets are currently located," Rutte said last month. "It's about who would do what if our defence plans were activated. So, let's say in case of an Article 5 situation." Under Article 5, the alliance's collective security guarantee, the 32 members agree that an attack on one will be treated as an attack on all, though it does not require them to provide military support. Overall, NATO says European allies have moved to plug most of the gaps left by the US cuts as the alliance reviews its readiness plans.

With PTI Inputs

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