Der Spiegel: US plans major cuts to military assets in Europe, NATO allies blindsided

The United States has informed NATO allies of plans to significantly reduce its military contribution to the alliance, including fewer fighter jets, bombers, and drones deployed in Europe. According to Der Spiegel, the announcement caught European partners off guard.

The United States has notified its NATO allies of sweeping plans to reduce American military assets stationed in Europe, according to Der Spiegel, citing unnamed sources familiar with the discussions. The planned cuts would affect fighter jets, bombers, and unmanned aerial vehicles currently deployed across the continent.

European allies were reportedly caught off guard by the announcement, raising fresh concerns about Washington's long-term commitment to collective defence. The disclosure comes at a particularly sensitive moment, with Russia's war in Ukraine ongoing and Baltic and Eastern European member states pressing for stronger, not weaker, American presence.

Donald Trump's administration has repeatedly called on European NATO members to increase their own defence spending and take on a greater share of the alliance's security burden. The latest reported move appears to be a concrete step in that direction, though it risks unsettling allies who have counted on US air power as a cornerstone of deterrence.

The report has not been officially confirmed by the Pentagon or the White House. NATO has not yet issued a formal response to the Der Spiegel story. European defence officials are expected to seek urgent clarification through alliance channels in the coming days.