U.S. Asks NATO Allies to Increase Aircraft and Ship Contributions

The United States expects European NATO allies and Canada to increase the number of manned and unmanned aircraft and ships they contribute to alliance defense plans, a top U.S. general said on Wednesday. The statement came after the U.S. told allies last month it would reduce its contribution to the NATO Force Model, a pool of forces available during a crisis.

Details of the reductions were not disclosed at the time.

Areas of Requested Increase U.S.

Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, NATO’s top commander, said manned and unmanned aircraft and naval vessels are areas where allies can increase contributions as the United States reduces forces assigned to the NATO Force Model. Grynkewich stated there has been an unhealthy co-dependence on U.S. forces in the model and that this needs to change.

NATO Response A spokesperson for NATO’s military headquarters, U.S. Army Col.

Martin O’Donnell, said the areas mentioned already have or will soon have sufficient allied capabilities, meaning no defense gaps are expected. “Nations just need to assign the capabilities they have to NATO,” the spokesperson said. O’Donnell declined to say when allied nations would replace the U.S. capabilities. NATO leaders are scheduled to meet at a summit in Ankara in July.