US Troop Levels in Europe Should Stay at Current Numbers, Says Top General
Cavoli emphasized the importance of maintaining the current troop levels in Europe, which currently stand around 80,000, representing a historic low. He recommended that these numbers should be sustained.
Gen. Christopher Cavoli, the top U.S. general in Europe, recently testified before the House Armed Services Committee on April 8, advising that the nation should uphold its existing troop levels across the continent as part of the Pentagon’s efforts to revise its global footprint under President Donald Trump.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has alerted European allies to not take for granted the ongoing U.S. military presence in the region, as the U.S. shifts focus towards countering China in the Indo-Pacific region.
Currently, the U.S. military maintains approximately 80,000 troops in Europe, down from over 100,000 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Cavoli advised against further reduction of these troop levels.
Cavoli stated, “It’s my recommendation to maintain that force posture as it is now. I have consistently advocated for retaining the increased forces, and will continue to do so if necessary.”
The troop presence in Europe by the U.S. is the lowest it has been since the post-World War II era. In the past, during the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, the average deployment of American troops in Europe ranged from about 290,000 to just under 350,000, according to data compiled by the Hoover Institution.
Conversely, the number of U.S. troops in Asia has been increasing as part of the U.S.’s pivot towards deterring potential conflicts with China.
European allies have expressed concerns about the U.S. commitment to the NATO alliance and its traditional role of defending Europe against Russian threats. These worries have escalated following remarks made by Trump suggesting potential non-intervention in defense of treaty allies if they do not meet defense spending expectations.
European nations are taking steps to assume more responsibility for defense in anticipation of a reduced U.S. presence, but overcoming reliance on the U.S. military and U.S.-made arms remains a challenge.
When asked about moving forces from NATO’s eastern flank, Cavoli mentioned that troop movements are common, but his current plan is to maintain a similar force posture unless directed otherwise.
Lawmakers from both parties cautioned against a complete withdrawal of troops from Europe, indicating that the future of the U.S. presence in Europe will be determined by Hegseth and Trump in the coming months and years.
Katherine Thompson, acting assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, informed lawmakers that a global force posture review is ongoing, and its outcomes will align with “Trump’s stated interests.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
