Major European military powers are developing an ambitious strategy to reduce NATO's dependence on the United States over the next 5-10 years, according to a Financial Times report.
The United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Nordic countries are engaged in structured discussions to reshape the 80-year-old North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The plan aims to present a managed transfer of responsibilities to the Trump administration before NATO's June summit in The Hague.
The initiative comes as European nations face uncertainty about US commitment to the alliance. Currently, the US provides 15.8% of NATO's $3.5 billion annual budget and maintains up to 100,000 troops across Europe.
European officials acknowledge the scale of the challenge ahead. Government sources indicate it would take 5-10 years of increased military spending for European forces to match most US capabilities. "Increasing spending is the only play that we have: burden sharing and shifting the dial away from US reliance," one official told the Financial Times.
Key European powers have already announced plans to boost defense spending and military investments. The transition focuses on five main areas: air defense systems, deep-fire capabilities, logistics, communications, information systems, and land maneuver capacities.
NATO is expected to request a 30% increase in weapons and equipment stockpiles from European members and Canada. The move reflects growing concerns about regional security, particularly given Russia's increased military assertiveness.
While some officials view recent US statements as rhetoric, others question the reliability of US partnership under the current administration. The European initiative represents a strategic shift toward greater military self-reliance within the alliance.