Europe planning to replace US in NATO in 5-10yrs: Report
What's the story
European military powers are working on plans to assume greater responsibilities in NATO, a Financial Times report said.
These plans include a pitch to US President Donald Trump's administration for a managed shift of power over the next five to 10 years.
The UK, France, Germany, and Nordic countries are reportedly leading discussions. The goal is to put forth the plan to the US before NATO's annual leaders' summit in The Hague in June.
Plan details
Europe's strategy to maintain NATO stability
The strategy seeks to establish stability within NATO, in case of a US pullout from the alliance.
The US currently pays 15.8% of NATO's annual budget of $3.5 billion and has 80,000-100,000 troops stationed across Europe.
European countries, including Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, have already announced plans to raise defense spending and military investments.
Collaboration efforts
'Increasing spending is the only play that we have'
According to government officials, it would take five to 10 years of increased spending to develop European skills to a level "where they could replace most US competencies."
"Increasing spending is the only play that we have: burden sharing and shifting the dial away from US reliance," FT quoted one of the officials as saying.
"We're starting those talks but it's such a big task that many are overwhelmed by the scale of it."
Trump
European countries scurrying to increase defense expenditure
Since Trump won the election in November, European countries have been scurrying to increase defense expenditure and reconsider their military strategy in the face of Russia's increased assertiveness.
According to Bloomberg, the five primary areas being targeted in the next era are air defense systems, deep-fire capabilities, logistics, communication and information systems, and land maneuver capabilities.
"Air defense systems were specifically singled out as an area that requires more capability from all allies, including the US," the report added.
NATO
NATO will ask Europe,Canada to boost weapons and equipment stockpiles
Bloomberg reported that NATO will push Europe and Canada to increase its weapons and equipment inventories by 30% amid Trump's repeated threats to exit from the bloc.
Canada is also in talks with the EU to lessen its security reliance on the US, AP reported. The plan involves buying more defense gear.
Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair has been assigned to review the purchase of America's F-35 fighter jets to see if there are other options "given the changing environment."