**Title: Europeans to Fill Gaps Left by U.S. in NATO Defense Plans Ahead of Ankara Summit**
**Date: July 2, 2026**
In a significant development for NATO, European member states are poised to address nearly all the shortfalls resulting from reduced U.S. military commitments to the alliance. This information was disclosed by a NATO source ahead of the upcoming summit scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara, Turkey.
The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, indicated that while European nations have made substantial progress in compensating for U.S. reductions, a notable gap remains in the area of strategic bombers. The U.S. has committed to providing only one strategic bomber instead of the previously planned two, highlighting a critical area where NATO is still seeking to enhance its capabilities.
This shift comes in the context of a broader U.S. strategy to reduce its military footprint in Europe, a decision communicated to NATO allies in May. The U.S. aims to mitigate what has been described as an "unhealthy co-dependence" on American military resources, particularly as Washington prepares for the possibility of engaging in multiple conflicts across different regions.
NATO's top commander, U.S. Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, emphasized that the alliance must adapt to a changing security environment, which includes a reduction in U.S. military assets available for NATO operations during crises. The U.S. military's planned reductions encompass a range of capabilities, including refueling aircraft, fighter jets, drones, and naval vessels.
According to military sources, the U.S. will reduce its number of F-15 and F-15E fighter jets available to NATO by one-third, decreasing the total from 150 to 99. Additionally, the number of MQ-4 and MQ-9 Reaper drones will be halved, dropping from 24 to 12. The U.S. will also cut its fleet of KC-135 and KC-46 refueling aircraft from 79 to 63, and the number of maritime patrol aircraft will decrease from 26 to 15. Furthermore, the U.S. will provide only one aircraft carrier and one submarine capable of carrying cruise missiles, down from two and one, respectively.
Despite these reductions, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has expressed confidence that European allies are stepping up their contributions to fill the gaps left by the U.S. He noted that in a matter of weeks, European nations have largely compensated for the diminished U.S. military presence.
The ongoing adjustments within NATO come amid heightened concerns among European countries regarding the reliability of U.S. commitments to the alliance. This situation has been exacerbated by previous statements from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has threatened to withdraw U.S. forces from NATO, raising questions about the future of transatlantic defense cooperation.
As NATO prepares for its summit in Ankara, the alliance faces unprecedented challenges in maintaining its collective defense posture. The discussions in Turkey are expected to focus on how member states can further enhance their military readiness and capabilities in light of these developments.
The upcoming summit will also likely address the evolving security landscape in Europe and the need for a more robust and self-sufficient European defense framework. With the U.S. scaling back its military commitments, European nations may find themselves increasingly responsible for their own defense and security needs.
As NATO continues to navigate these changes, the alliance's ability to adapt and respond to emerging threats will be critical in ensuring the stability and security of the Euro-Atlantic region. The outcomes of the Ankara summit will be closely watched by both member states and international observers as NATO seeks to reinforce its strategic posture in an increasingly complex global environment.