NATO commander says Europe has backfilled most gaps from US cutbacks on military equipment
Summary
NATO’s top commander said European countries have replaced most of the military equipment that the U.S. has cut back supplying. The U.S. decided to reduce support like aircraft carriers and fighter jets to Europe, focusing more on other global threats, but European allies have stepped up to fill the gaps quickly.Key Facts
- The U.S. cut back military contributions to NATO in Europe, including aircraft carriers, support ships, refueling planes, and fighter jets.
- NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Alex Grynkewich, said Europe has mostly filled these gaps within weeks.
- NATO’s Force Model plans how member countries provide military forces in peace, crisis, or war, especially in the first six months of any conflict.
- For missing capabilities, NATO is exploring alternative resources with similar effects.
- Britain has made a second aircraft carrier and F35 jets more ready for emergencies.
- NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said the U.S. would likely send more military help if a real conflict occurred in Europe.
- NATO has 32 member countries who agree that an attack on one is an attack on all under Article 5 of its treaty, although exact military support is not automatically required.
- The U.S. shift is partly because it is focusing on threats in the Indo-Pacific region, especially from China.
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