U.S. to cut air and naval assets deployed for NATO operations in Europe
The U.S. Department of Defense said it will gradually cut a portion of the air and naval assets currently deployed for NATO operations in Europe. Al Jazeera reported that the move is being shaped by ongoing Iran talks and the Indo-Pacific priority. European allies asked for a technical plan to close the resulting force gap.
Al Jazeera said Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell described the move as a phased adjustment over the next 12 months, with a combined 4,500 service personnel rotating to the Indo-Pacific and eastern Europe frame. The statement said "diplomacy with Iran and the Indo-Pacific priority are shaping the decision".
NATO Deputy Secretary-General Geoana said "shared intelligence and overflight infrastructure will be preserved, but European allies must prepare for additional spending to keep operational capacity local". Germany's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that "air-defence and surveillance flight funding will be raised".
UBS defence strategist Heuer wrote that European defence spending could climb to 3.4% of GDP over the coming year and that local defence firms could see quarterly orders rise by 5 billion euros. The EuroStoxx 50 opened up 0.4%. This is not investment advice.
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