The United States plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, its largest European base, a move the Pentagon announced Friday amid growing rifts over the Iran war and tariff disputes. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Saturday this decision should compel Europeans to strengthen their own defenses.
Pistorius called the reduction expected, noting there are currently around 40,000 active-duty US soldiers in Germany. He said Germany is on the right track by expanding its armed forces from 185,000 to 260,000 troops, speeding up military procurement, and building infrastructure. However, critics argue more is needed to counter a perceived growing threat from Russia.
The NATO alliance is working with the US to understand the details, with spokesperson Allison Hart emphasizing the need for Europe to invest more in defense. The multinational NATO summit in The Hague last year saw allies pledge to commit 5% of GDP to defense.
The planned withdrawal includes one full brigade and cancels a long-range fires battalion scheduled for deployment later this year. This is a particular blow to Berlin, as the equipment was intended as a major deterrent against Russia while Europe develops its own long-range missiles.