Plan to Reduce the United States' Military Contributions in NATO's Force Model (June 2026)

The United States' plan to reduce its military contributions within the NATO Force Model involves decreasing the number of combat aircraft, naval assets, and support capacity allocated to NATO operations.

The United States Department of Defense has informed its allied nations of its intention to reduce certain military capabilities assigned to the defense of Europe under the NATO Force Model. The plan envisions a realignment of American contributions to the pool of forces that NATO can rapidly deploy in crisis or conflict situations.

The Washington administration has stated that this adjustment is designed to encourage European countries to enhance their own defense capabilities and to rebalance the burden-sharing within NATO.

The NATO Force Model is a structure comprising military units, air assets, naval forces, and logistical capabilities pledged by member states to enable the implementation of the alliance’s defense plans. The model specifies which forces will be deployed within the first 10 days, 30 days, and 180 days of a crisis or conflict.

Member states commit to maintaining a specified number of military units and equipment in a state of readiness under this system.

According to the plan presented by the United States to its allies, the number of F-16 and F-15E combat aircraft assigned to NATO is expected to be reduced from approximately 150 to 100.

The plan also includes reducing the number of P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft operating in NATO missions in Europe. According to Reuters, the number of these aircraft is projected to be cut from 26 to 15.

The United States is also considering withdrawing all of its aerial refueling aircraft assigned to NATO missions. Previously, the removal of eight aerial refueling aircraft previously allocated for European defense from the NATO Force Model has been under discussion.

The plan proposes withdrawing one of the two American aircraft carrier strike groups assigned to NATO. Additionally, submarines equipped with Tomahawk cruise missile capabilities are planned to be removed from the NATO Force Model.

Furthermore, various warships attached to carrier strike groups and certain air assets supporting naval operations are expected to be repositioned.

It has been noted that these changes could particularly affect naval power projection in the Atlantic Ocean and along NATO’s southern flank.

The plan is viewed as a continuation of President Donald Trump’s administration’s policy to reduce the U.S. military presence in Europe. The Washington administration recently announced the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 U.S. troops stationed in Germany and canceled the deployment of a long-range missile unit planned for Germany.

The U.S. administration has stated that European countries must assume greater responsibility for their own defense and that a portion of American resources will be redirected to the Asia-Pacific region.

NATO officials have acknowledged that the alliance has historically relied heavily on U.S. military capabilities. A statement from NATO’s spokesperson noted that European countries and Canada have increased their defense spending in recent years and developed new military capabilities.

The statement emphasized that the shift in responsibility-sharing aims to make NATO’s long-term defense plans more sustainable.

European officials have requested detailed clarification from Washington regarding the scope and implementation timeline of the plan. Discussions are ongoing regarding the extent of the reduction in U.S. military presence in Europe and the timetable for its execution.

The U.S. plan to reduce its contributions to the NATO Force Model has emerged at a time when debates over security risks posed by Russia are ongoing in Europe. Several European military and intelligence agencies have published assessments indicating that Russia may pose a threat to NATO’s eastern flank in the coming years.

During this period, issues such as increasing defense expenditures, strengthening European defense capabilities, and rebalancing burden-sharing within the alliance have come to the forefront. It is expected that this topic will be one of the key agenda items at the NATO Summit scheduled for July 2026 in Ankara.