NATO chief confirms US cuts in force planning

Burden sharing

NATO chief confirms US cuts in force planning

The USA will have fewer armed forces under NATO command in the future. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is trying to allay concerns.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has confirmed that the USA will keep fewer military capabilities for deterrence and defense on standby under NATO command in the future. The division of labor in the area of ​​conventional armed forces has been reviewed and we see that the European allies and Canada are ready, willing and able to do more, explained Rutte. On this basis, the United States adjusted its commitments within the framework of the so-called NATO Force Model. The alliance also determines which member states have how many forces and capabilities available and how quickly they must be available.

The Dutchman emphasized that from his point of view this was not a problem and should not be interpreted as a withdrawal by the USA. “The United States has made it clear that it is committed to NATO,” said Rutte. However, this commitment goes hand in hand with the expectation that the allies will share responsibility for security here in Europe more fairly. For the Europeans and Canadians, this means that they have to do more in the conventional sector, he explained. The USA wanted to continue to provide nuclear deterrence reliably.

“Welt” had already revealed the exact scope of the US strike plans at the beginning of the month. Citing a secret document, she reported that the USA is, among other things, completely removing long-range reconnaissance drones and eight modern KC-46 tanker aircraft from NATO planning. There should also be significant reductions in contributions for fighter jets, armed drones of the MQ-9 type and cruiser and destroyer units. An aircraft carrier battle group and a long-range bomber group should also no longer be available.

Rutte emphasized on Wednesday in Brussels that historically there has been excessive dependence on the United States. Now the USA has adjusted its promised contributions – and other allies have increased their contributions. “That’s fair. That makes us stronger.”

Rutte did not give any details. According to information from the German Press Agency, some gaps could be closed immediately, but not all. The “Spiegel” reported that the commitments made so far for fighter jets, drones or warships made up for more than 50 percent of what the USA no longer wanted to provide to NATO’s supreme commander for Europe, US four-star general Alexus Grynkewich, in terms of weapons systems for the air force and navy.

A good half dozen NATO partners have registered new contributions to the NATO military model in recent weeks, it said, citing diplomats. Great Britain is said to have taken on the majority of the obligations, while other major NATO partners such as France and Germany have so far held back from making new commitments. Most recently there was a conference on the provision of forces on June 2nd and 3rd.

Referring to the threats posed by Russia and the importance of US deterrence, Rutte said: “It’s a bit strange that we still need so much help from another country that is eight hours away by plane and has 350 million inhabitants to defend ourselves against a country with 140 million inhabitants.”