Now Reading: NATO Shifts European Defence Burden From Washington to Allies
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NATO Shifts European Defence Burden From Washington to Allies
NATO is entering a new phase as the United States asks European allies to take primary responsibility for their continent’s conventional defence, The Hindu reports. Washington still intends to provide nuclear deterrence,…
The Story in Brief
NATO is entering a new phase as the United States asks European allies to take primary responsibility for their continent’s conventional defence, The Hindu reports. Washington still intends to provide nuclear deterrence, intelligence, long-range strike capabilities and political leadership, but no longer act as Europe’s sole military backbone. US troop strength in Europe has fallen to about 75,000 to 80,000, from around 1,00,000 after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. At the 2025 Hague Summit, members agreed to raise core defence spending to at least 3.5% of GDP by 2035.
The shift will test whether European countries can replace key American capabilities, including satellite support, strategic airlift, command systems, missile defence and intelligence. NATO members also pledged €70 billion in military assistance for Ukraine in 2026 and backed European development of long-range precision weapons. Germany has doubled defence spending since 2023 and aims to meet the 3.5% target by 2029. Russia has meanwhile strengthened its western military posture.
The Indian Opinion
The lazy version of this story says America is abandoning Europe, while another claims higher budgets alone will make Europe self-reliant. Neither is supported by the facts. Washington remains the nuclear guarantor and strategic enabler, but Europe still depends on American intelligence, logistics and long-range capabilities. The real test is not a headline spending pledge. It is whether European forces can build those systems and sustain support for Ukraine by the 2029 review.
Source: thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
