European NATO allies have largely filled the gaps left by the US in the alliance's defense plans, according to NATO's top commander, US Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich. The US had decided to shrink the pool of military capabilities committed to the transatlantic alliance in a crisis, raising urgent questions as leaders prepare for a NATO summit in Ankara on July 7-8.
The move is meant to gradually end an “unhealthy co-dependence” on US forces as Washington faces the potential of simultaneous conflicts in multiple theaters. The main gap NATO is still struggling to plug is in strategic bombers, where the US has said it will make only one aircraft available instead of two.
The US reductions range from refueling aircraft to fighter jets, drones, and ships, with the number of US F-15 and F-15E fighter jets available to NATO falling by a third to 99, and the number of MQ-4 and MQ-9 Reaper drones by half to 12.
