Equipping and training the Afghan National Army
The US has big plans; let's hope they work (that sure would make life easier for the Conservative government--if it's still around).
...[a] senior American officer, Maj. Gen. Robert E. Durbin, offered details of the planned infusion of money and equipment meant to make the indigenous forces more effective.
The United States spent about $2 billion from 2002 to 2006 on Afghanistan’s security forces, according to the unit General Durbin commands, the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, which equips and acts as mentors for the Afghan army and police. This fiscal year, the United States plans to spend $3.4 billion, part of the effort to contain and eventually defeat the insurgents.
General Durbin, an Army officer, said in an interview that if the latest budget proposals were approved, the United States would spend $5.9 billion next fiscal year.
In addition to expanding training, the money would arm Afghan forces as they have not been armed since the Taliban were chased from power in 2001. By late 2008, he said, Afghanistan’s forces would have more than 100 helicopters and 2,000 to 3,000 armored Humvees, vehicles like those used to protect American soldiers in Iraq from roadside bombs.
He said Afghan forces would have larger artillery pieces and “scores” of fixed-wing aircraft to bring intensified firepower against the insurgents, who operate in much of southern and eastern Afghanistan. “We have what I would call a very sound and effective program,” he said.
The two generals [the other is ISAF commander US Gen. Dan K. McNeill] also said that the Afghan Army was performing well, but that the national police forces, which have had less money and training from international donors, needed more improvement.
...[a] senior American officer, Maj. Gen. Robert E. Durbin, offered details of the planned infusion of money and equipment meant to make the indigenous forces more effective.
The United States spent about $2 billion from 2002 to 2006 on Afghanistan’s security forces, according to the unit General Durbin commands, the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, which equips and acts as mentors for the Afghan army and police. This fiscal year, the United States plans to spend $3.4 billion, part of the effort to contain and eventually defeat the insurgents.
General Durbin, an Army officer, said in an interview that if the latest budget proposals were approved, the United States would spend $5.9 billion next fiscal year.
In addition to expanding training, the money would arm Afghan forces as they have not been armed since the Taliban were chased from power in 2001. By late 2008, he said, Afghanistan’s forces would have more than 100 helicopters and 2,000 to 3,000 armored Humvees, vehicles like those used to protect American soldiers in Iraq from roadside bombs.
He said Afghan forces would have larger artillery pieces and “scores” of fixed-wing aircraft to bring intensified firepower against the insurgents, who operate in much of southern and eastern Afghanistan. “We have what I would call a very sound and effective program,” he said.
The two generals [the other is ISAF commander US Gen. Dan K. McNeill] also said that the Afghan Army was performing well, but that the national police forces, which have had less money and training from international donors, needed more improvement.
posted by Mark, Ottawa at 1:53 p.m.
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