The Pentagon is considering a major reduction in the US military presence in Europe that could involve the withdrawal of tens of thousands of troops along with aircraft, naval assets and other military capabilities, according to current and former US and Western officials familiar with the discussions.

The proposed reduction could initially involve around 25,000 troops, or roughly one-third of the approximately 80,000 US service members currently stationed in Europe. Some officials involved in the deliberations have indicated that the figure could be considerably higher, potentially reaching 40,000, or about half of the American military presence on the continent, according to NBC News.

Pentagon Review Still Underway

A senior US Defence Department official and two other officials said the review remains ongoing and that no final decision has been taken. If implemented, the withdrawal would represent the largest reduction in the US military footprint in Europe since the post-Cold War drawdown of the 1990s.

The proposed changes come as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues and European governments warn that Moscow is expanding its military and hybrid activities across the continent. The prospect of a major US drawdown has already raised concerns among European allies and lawmakers in Washington, including Republicans who have traditionally supported a strong American military presence in Europe.

The Pentagon announced a six-month review of US forces in Europe in June, tasking US Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, supreme allied commander in Europe and head of US European Command, with assessing future military requirements.

Grynkewich is expected to submit an initial analysis to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Friday. A final recommendation is due to Hegseth on November 6, following which it will be presented to President Donald Trump. Any troop withdrawal would take place only after that process.

Air, Naval And Ground Forces Under Review

The review is expected to consider several options, including reductions in US air power, naval personnel and ground forces. Another possibility under consideration is moving some American forces from western Europe to Nato’s eastern flank, closer to Russia.

According to a senior Pentagon official, Hegseth ordered the review to determine whether the US military posture in Europe is consistent with the Trump administration’s “America First” approach.

The Pentagon has argued that European allies should take greater responsibility for their conventional defence, while the US should direct more of its military resources towards China, Iran and security challenges in the Western Hemisphere.

Trump has repeatedly questioned the distribution of defence responsibilities within Nato. During the Nato summit in Turkey in July, he said he was “very disappointed with Nato” and criticised European allies for what he described as insufficient support for the United States during its war with Iran.

“Why are we spending hundreds of billions of dollars, and they’re not there for us?” Trump said. “We’ve always been there for them.”

During a meeting with Nato Secretary-General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office a month earlier, Trump was asked what he expected from US allies.

“Just be loyal,” he said. “I just want their loyalty. We don’t need their money. We don’t need anything. We have the most powerful military in the world by far, but I just want loyalty,” Trump added.

Germany, Italy And Spain In Focus

Germany, Italy and Spain are among the countries that could be most affected by any major reduction because they host a substantial share of the US military presence in Europe.

Germany is the largest US military hub on the continent, with around 36,000 American troops stationed there. It hosts major US installations that support operations across Europe and other regions.

The Pentagon had already announced plans in May to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, but Trump subsequently indicated that the reduction could go considerably further.

Relations between Germany and the Trump administration have also been strained by disagreements over the war with Iran. In May, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticised Iran’s leadership, saying an entire nation was being humiliated by the Iranian leadership and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Italy hosts around 12,000 US troops and several major air bases, while Spain provides important air and naval facilities in the south of the country.

Rome and Madrid have both clashed with Washington over US military operations against Iran. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government declined to allow US aircraft potentially involved in strikes against Iran to use a base in Sicily without parliamentary approval.

Spain also denied access to military bases for US air attacks on Iran, angering the White House.

European governments have separately expressed concern about being excluded from major US decisions involving Iran and about the potential economic and security consequences of the conflict.

European Allies Warn Against Rapid Withdrawal

European governments have urged Washington to implement any reduction gradually, arguing that replacing American military capabilities could take years.

Among the capabilities European countries say they need time to develop are long-range missile systems, satellite surveillance and aerial refuelling aircraft.

Opponents of a major US withdrawal have also argued that American forces serve purposes beyond the direct defence of Europe. US bases and logistics networks allow Washington to deploy troops and equipment rapidly to other theatres, including the Middle East and Africa.

Grynkewich told lawmakers in March that the US military’s infrastructure in Europe was crucial to American operations around the world.

Russian Activity Adds To European Concerns

The potential drawdown comes amid repeated warnings from European governments about Russian military and hybrid activities. European authorities have accused Moscow of conducting sabotage operations, cyberattacks, assassinations and drone operations intended to disrupt support for Ukraine and create divisions within Nato. Russia has rejected the accusations.

Nato has also reported several incidents involving drones believed to have originated in Russia. Germany this month blamed Russia for an attempted attack at Leipzig airport involving a drone carrying an explosive.

Over the weekend, a drone struck a train near the Ukraine-Poland border shortly after a diplomatic delegation, including former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, had passed through the station.

Another drone strike was reported near a separate crossing between Poland and Ukraine. European officials described the incidents as intimidation directed at countries supporting Ukraine, while Moscow denied responsibility.

The Pentagon’s review could therefore mark a significant change in the security arrangement that has shaped the US-European defence relationship for decades. However, the final decision remains pending, with the eventual scale and location of any troop movements yet to be determined.

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