Top NATO commander in Europe says allies largely offset US defense cuts

BRUSSELS — The top NATO Allied Command Europe commander, General Alexus Grynkewich, said European allies have largely closed the gap left by reduced US defense contributions, according to a Reuters interview. Grynkewich said that within weeks, European allies had "largely" compensated for the shortfall and stressed that the alliance's operational readiness continues despite the change in the US role. In mid-June, Bloomberg reported, citing sources, that Europe was preparing for a sharp reduction in some US military capabilities during a potential war or crisis. The gap included military equipment that Europe cannot directly replace. According to a senior Western military official cited by Bloomberg, the plan envisages cutting the number of US strategic bombers in Europe by 30 percent — capabilities Europe cannot directly substitute. The same source said reductions of 75 to 100 percent in reconnaissance and strike drones and roughly 50 percent in naval vessels were under consideration.