Trump administration proposes cuts to NATO forces, NYT reports

The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 12th that the Trump administration has presented NATO member states with a document detailing reductions in forces to be deployed to NATO in case of an emergency. Fighter jets will be reduced by one-third, and assignments for missile-carrying submarines and carrier strike groups will also be reviewed. There are concerns that NATO's long-range attack and surveillance capabilities may be limited, and its deterrence against Russia may be weakened.

The NYT reported this, citing two European government officials. The document detailing the reductions was reportedly presented earlier this month. In May, US European Command informed NATO member states of a policy to "optimize" the scale of US forces, and the specific details of this policy have now become clear.

According to the NYT, the reductions include: approximately 150 F16 and F15 fighter jets to about 100; 26 maritime reconnaissance aircraft to 15; 8 aerial refueling tankers to 0; a review of assignments for missile-carrying submarines and carrier strike groups; and reducing bomber units from two to one. The specific schedule for the reductions has not been publicly announced. US officials have suggested that the implementation will occur much earlier than European countries anticipate.

The reductions target the "NATO Force Model" (NFM), a framework for rapid response in emergencies. Under this framework, member states allocate forces that can be deployed from peacetime in the event of conflict or attack on a member state.

Commander Grynkewich of US European Command, who also serves as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, has previously explained, "The NFM had an unhealthy interdependence with US forces. The possibility of simultaneous, multi-theater conflicts necessitates a review of US force levels."

President Trump has consistently argued that European NATO member states "should bear the primary responsibility for European defense." He has expressed dissatisfaction with NATO's "lack of cooperation" regarding military operations against Iran and has mentioned the possibility of withdrawing from NATO. [Brussels, Issei Suzuki]