The United States intends to significantly reduce the number of fighter jets and warships it contributes to NATO in Europe, according to a report by the New York Times. The reported cutbacks come at a time when European nations are urgently strengthening their own defence capabilities, driven by fears that Russia could target a NATO member state following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Under the reported plan, Washington would cut the number of fighter jets it supplies to Europe by one third, eliminate all eight aerial refuelling tankers, and reduce maritime reconnaissance aircraft. Other assets to be reallocated include a missile-launching submarine, an aircraft carrier, a group of bomber aircraft, and several additional jets and warships. The report cites two unidentified senior European officials as sources.
The US European Command stated this month that it would reassess Washington's contributions to NATO to "ensure Europe takes primary responsibility for its own conventional defence." US General Alexus Grynkewich accused Europe of "an unhealthy co-dependence" on American forces.
NATO's Shifting Dynamics
US President Donald Trump has previously described the alliance as a "paper tiger" and its members as "cowards," expressing frustration that they have not joined the US-Israeli war against Iran. The 32-member NATO bloc, founded in 1949, relies on Article 5, the principle that an attack on one member is an attack on all.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week that Trump will attend a NATO summit in Turkey in July. Rubio described it as "probably the most important meeting in NATO's history, because there's some things that need to be cleared up and fixed."
The reported US drawdown comes as European nations grapple with the collapse of the Franco-German FCAS fighter jet project, which has left a gap in next-generation air combat capabilities. An Airbus-led consortium has proposed a new fighter jet to fill this void, but the timeline for such a project remains uncertain.
Sweden Warns of Russian Threats
Sweden's parliamentary defence committee warned on Friday that Russia could make military "advances" against NATO countries relatively soon if the Kremlin deems the timing favourable. "An armed attack against Sweden or our allies cannot be ruled out," the committee said in a report highlighting Europe's increasingly uncertain security environment.
"Russian military advances, for example to test NATO's cohesion and the credibility of Article 5, could take place in the relatively near future if the political situation is deemed favourable by the Kremlin," the committee added. The report noted that Russia could act even without the military power traditionally considered necessary for an attack.
Jorgen Berglund, who heads the committee, told a press conference: "We can note that the security policy situation remains serious and is characterised by considerable uncertainty. There is a risk of rapid deterioration with serious consequences for Sweden's and Europe's security."
In May, Sweden's top military commander Michael Claesson also warned that Russia could test NATO resolve. "They know that the entire Western world is arming itself. So I ask myself: why would they wait to exploit perceived weaknesses?" he told public broadcaster SVT.
The defence committee, which includes representatives from all parties in Sweden's parliament, produces reports that underpin the country's long-term defence planning. Its latest report stressed that the United States remains "crucial for Swedish and European security and prosperity," but acknowledged that "Europe's relationship with the United States is changing" as US foreign and security policy has been "significantly transformed" under Trump.
Sweden ended two centuries of military non-alignment and joined NATO in 2024, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The country's warnings echo broader European concerns about the reliability of US security guarantees and the need for greater self-reliance in defence.
