US to withdraw jets, destroyers and submarines from NATO in European drawdown

The United States is planning to pull fighter jets, destroyers, and submarines from NATO as part of a broader reduction of its military commitments in Europe. No clear timeline has been provided for the withdrawal, raising concerns among European allies.

The United States is moving to significantly reduce its military footprint in Europe, with plans to withdraw fighter jets, destroyers, and submarines from NATO deployments as part of a broader drawdown of American forces on the continent.

Washington has yet to provide a clear timeline for the pullback, leaving European allies uncertain about the pace and scale of the reduction. The move is seen as part of the [Donald Trump](/politicians/donald-trump) administration's broader push to pare back American commitments to the alliance and pressure European member states to take on greater responsibility for their own defense.

## Security concerns across Europe

The planned withdrawal is expected to send shockwaves through NATO's eastern flank, including the Baltic states, which have long relied on a robust US military presence as a deterrent against potential Russian aggression. Countries such as Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have repeatedly called on Washington to maintain and even expand its presence in the region.

European NATO members have in recent years scrambled to boost their defense spending following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, critics argue that removing key US naval and air assets before European alternatives are in place could create dangerous capability gaps.

## Alliance under pressure

The drawdown adds to growing uncertainty about the future of the transatlantic security relationship. European governments are now facing increasing pressure to fast-track their own defense buildup, acquire additional air and naval assets, and deepen military cooperation with one another to compensate for the expected reduction in American firepower.