Washington, Jan 13 (IANS/RIA Novosti): The US will withdraw 7,000 troops from its 81,000-strong Europe-based forces, Pentagon spokesperson George Little said Friday.
Washington will withdraw two of four brigade combat teams stationed in Europe, Little said.
The announcement comes a day after US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said that the Pentagon would reduce forces in Europe as part of its new defense strategy, which seeks to cut US defense spending by $487 billion over the next ten years.
Panetta said the US military presence in Europe would be maintained by units on a rotating basis.
US President Barack Obama unveiled a 10-year defense strategy Jan 5, focusing more on the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions.
US military strategists have voiced concerns about China and Iran's rapidly growing air and naval power, and sought to move away from large Cold War era ground forces.