US defence chief warns NATO allies about cuts

Leon Panetta said the US was facing cuts of at least $450billion to its mammoth defence budget over the next decade.He urged European partners not to repeat past mistakes of  hollowing out forces following military campaigns.Mr Panetta was speaking in Brussels ahead of talks with Nato counterparts.He is on a tour to  to Israel, Egypt and now on his first trip to Europe since taking over as defence secretary from Robert Gates in July.Mr Panetta gave his warning as austerity programmes bite on both sides of the Atlantic, and Nato members contemplate swingeing cuts to their defence spending.He says  Libyan and Afghanistan conflicts had exposed gaps in alliance capabilities including a shortage of drones refuelling tanker aircraft, munitions and strategic transport.