Pentagon presses NATO allies to step up on Europe's defence

The Pentagon has intensified its push for NATO allies to take greater responsibility for Europe's conventional defence, as Washington reviews how deeply to cut its military footprint on the continent.

Speaking after a briefing at NATO headquarters in Brussels, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby said the review is aimed at creating a "more realistic, fit-for-purpose, fit for time, more balanced structure" for the alliance.

The United States currently has around 80,000 troops stationed in Europe, but has already begun reducing that number. The scale of further cuts will depend on how effectively European allies and Canada respond to a U.S.-demanded overhaul of NATO's burden-sharing.

Under the proposed model, European allies would take the lead on conventional defence, with the U.S. providing backup — including nuclear deterrence — only if needed.

Colby praised Germany, Poland, and several Scandinavian countries for their increased defence spending, but singled out the United Kingdom for more effort. "We hope to see more from countries like the United Kingdom," he told reporters.

The Pentagon has circulated a questionnaire asking allies to formally state how they plan to meet U.S. goals. Colby confirmed several responses have already been received, though he did not name the countries.

The survey also includes demands beyond NATO's traditional remit, such as whether allies will grant U.S. forces unfettered access to their bases and airspace. Colby linked this to operational predictability, noting that Europe shares an interest in preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

"We need to be able to have the ability to operate effectively. We need predictability," he said.