Archive · 7 Dec 2025
US Sets 2027 Deadline for NATO Defense Shift
The United States wants its European partners in NATO to take over most of the defense responsibilities, like troops, weapons, and intelligence, by the year 2027.
This was discussed in a meeting in Washington.
Some European officials think this deadline is too soon and not realistic.
They say Europe needs more than just money and political will to replace certain U.S. capabilities.
The U.S. has been encouraging Europe to spend more on defense and has set a target of 5% of their country's money for defense spending.
The European Union has its own plan to be ready to defend itself by 2030, but officials say even that is a big challenge.
The U.S. has been saying for a long time that Europe should take more responsibility for its own defense.
US wants Europe to take over majority of NATO's conventional defense capabilities by 2027.
Pentagon officials conveyed this message in a meeting with European delegations in Washington.
European officials consider the 2027 deadline unrealistic due to production backlogs and unique U.S. capabilities.
NATO allies have pledged to increase defense spending, with the EU targeting self-sufficiency by 2030.
The US has set a 5% of GDP target for NATO members' defense spending.
- Who
- United States, European NATO members
- What
- US wants Europe to take over majority of NATO's conventional defense capabilities by 2027
- When
- Deadline set for 2027
- Where
- Discussed in Washington, involves NATO members
- Why
- US seeks to shift defense burden to Europe, concerns over European progress
- Deadline
- 2027
- Capabilities to Transfer
- Conventional defense, intelligence, missiles
- US Measurement of Progress
- Not specified
- European Deadline
- 2030
- US Defense Spending Target
- 5% of GDP