The United States plans to cut its bomber support for NATO in half, a move that aligns with President Donald Trump's push for European allies to shoulder more of the alliance's defense costs. The reduction, which has not been formally announced, comes amid rising tensions over burden-sharing within the transatlantic military pact.
Why the US is pulling back
Washington has long argued that Europe contributes too little to its own security. Trump has made the issue a centerpiece of his foreign policy, repeatedly calling on NATO members to meet the alliance's target of spending at least 2% of GDP on defense. The planned halving of bomber support — a key component of NATO's strategic air power — appears to be the latest leverage tactic. The bombers, typically B-52s or similar aircraft, are used for both conventional and nuclear deterrence missions. Cutting their presence in Europe sends a clear signal: the US will not continue subsidizing European defense indefinitely.
Europe's spending surge
In response to American pressure, several European nations have announced significant increases in their defense budgets. Countries like Germany, Poland, and the Baltic states are moving to ramp up military spending, in some cases surpassing the 2% threshold. This shift marks a gradual move away from reliance on the US security umbrella. European leaders have begun framing self-reliance not as a choice but as a necessity, given the unpredictability of Washington's commitments.
The capability gap
But throwing money at the problem doesn't solve it overnight. While financial commitments are rising, actual military capability will take years to catch up. Building new fighter jets, tanks, and naval vessels, training troops, and integrating systems across different national armies is slow. Europe's defense industry has been underfunded for decades. Even with increased spending, the continent won't be able to replace American airpower, intelligence, or logistics anytime soon. That leaves a dangerous gap between the political will to spend more and the actual hardware needed to defend the alliance.
The bomber support cut underscores the gamble. If US forces pull back faster than Europe can build up, NATO's deterrent could weaken. For now, the alliance remains intact, but the clock is ticking. The next NATO summit — expected later this year — will be a key test: will Europe show concrete progress, or will the gap widen?
