The US is preparing to gut its military contributions to NATO, cutting strategic bomber availability by 50% and completely withdrawing submarines from alliance commitments. The move, discussed during closed-door meetings with NATO defense policy chiefs in Brussels in mid-May, represents a seismic shift in how Washington views its role in European security.

Beyond bombers and subs, the reductions touch nearly every dimension of US military power available to the alliance. Fighter jets provided to NATO will decrease by roughly one-third. Fewer destroyers will be allocated to NATO forces. Contributions of drones, aerial refueling aircraft, and warships are all expected to shrink significantly.

The broader pullback from Europe

The Trump administration has also signaled plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Europe and cancel a brigade deployment that was intended for Poland.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has acknowledged that the alliance needs to reduce its dependence on the United States.

Europe responds with its wallet

European NATO members and Canada recorded a 20% increase in defense spending in 2025 compared to the prior year. All NATO allies now meet or exceed the longstanding 2% of GDP defense spending target.

Still, spending money and building actual military capability are two very different things. Defense procurement cycles are measured in years, sometimes decades. You can increase a budget line item in a fiscal quarter. You cannot build a modern submarine fleet in one.