Pentagon Review Could Cut 80,000 US Troops in Europe Before November 6

Why follow us? Get the latest updates from Zona Militar in your Google feed.

Pentagon review of US troop levels in Europe

The United States is assessing possible cuts to the approximately 80,000 troops it currently stations throughout Europe. An internal Pentagon review is due to submit at least four potential options to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth before November 6. This deadline falls well before the formal December completion date for the process, announced in June, and could alter both the size and structure of the US military presence on the continent.

👉 Read more: US Air Force Announces Initial Operational Capability for New MH-139A Grey Wolf Helicopter to Reinforce Nuclear Arsenal

The review has prompted concern among NATO allies, whose officials worry that it may lead to substantial troop reductions. They also fear it could be used to exert pressure on countries that President Donald Trump believes gave the United States inadequate support during the Israel-Iran war.

A central part of the process is set out in a previously unreleased Terms of Reference document. According to its timetable, the most senior US military commander in Europe is due to meet Pentagon policy chief Elbridge Colby before September 18. That meeting is expected to be important in determining the final options put before Hegseth.

📌 You may also like:

• Lynx vs Wolf: the US Army received prototypes of the future XM30, the armoured vehicle intended to replace the M2 Bradley
• The US Air Force sends B-52H bombers to Australia to strengthen the Indo-Pacific

NATO access, spending and security capabilities

Colby is additionally due to meet NATO ambassadors in Brussels to address the review. A senior Pentagon official said that at least some of the options must clearly consider lowering US force levels in Europe, while emphasising that the exercise is intended to offer several alternatives rather than execute a decision already taken. European officials, however, have privately questioned how genuinely open the review remains.

When he announced the process in June, Hegseth had already criticised what he called “free-riders” within the alliance. He also indicated that US access, basing arrangements and overflight rights would be defined more explicitly. The newly disclosed document broadens the review to cover the space, cybersecurity and intelligence architectures supporting US power projection, alongside an assessment of whether individual nations have credible plans to fulfil their defence-spending commitments.

Pressure over support during the Iran war

The review is also unfolding amid Trump’s repeated criticism of several European governments. The US president has accused allies of depending on American security guarantees for years while offering too little assistance during the war with Iran, including delaying or refusing permission for US military aircraft to conduct overflights.

As the Pentagon prepares to deliver its options before November 6, the result could directly affect the future scale and configuration of the American military footprint in Europe. It could also add further pressure to Washington’s wider discussions with NATO allies over burden-sharing and access arrangements.