DoD consolidates US infrastructure in Europe
The US Department of Defense (DoD) has announced on 8 January that it will be consolidating some of its infrastructure in Europe. This will include returning 15 of its sites to host nations.
The European Infrastructure Consolidation (EIC) process will save the government around $500 million per year. The actions will slightly lower force levels but ensure effective positioning for quick response of the US and NATO allies to crises worldwide. The US footprint will reduce but the infrastructure in place will continue to support US interests and partners in the region.
Chuck Hagel, Secretary of Defense, said: ‘As part of an overall restructuring of our basing in Europe, we have been working with our allies to reposition thousands of our military and civilian personnel within the region.
‘I know that this will result in a reduction in size of our local host nation workforces at some locations; I value the tremendous support they provided us for decades and continue to provide today. In the end, this transformation of our infrastructure will help maximise our military capabilities in Europe and help strengthen our important European partnerships, so that we can best support our NATO allies and partners in the region.’
The US Congress approved the European Reassurance Initiative (ERI), a total of $985 million for DoD. This will enhance the country’s rotational presence in Europe for training, exercises, and other NATO activities. It will implement infrastructure improvement projects to support the increase military presence by the US and other Eastern European allies, pre-position US assets in Europe and enable the US to build the capacity of new allies and Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine.
More from Defence Notes
-
![UK urged to prioritise sea, air and space over heavy armour]()
UK urged to prioritise sea, air and space over heavy armour
A report from the Council on Geostrategy argues the UK should move away from a traditional balanced force and shift investment to naval, air and space capabilities, backed by a larger fleet of attack submarines and deeper AUKUS integration.
-
![Thales: deployment speed to determine winners in ‘production versus production’ era]()
Thales: deployment speed to determine winners in ‘production versus production’ era
At its technology summit in London, attended by Shephard, Thales UK examined the importance of speed to delivery, the growing focus on cross-domain capabilities and how procurement reform could be crucial for future battlefield advantage.
-
![Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain]()
Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain
Are all systems ready for the next mission? Have upgrades been applied? Are all assets aligned to deploy together, on time and fully prepared? In modern defence operations, readiness is no longer measured platform by platform. It is measured by how well people, assets, data and decisions move together — across land, sea and air.
