Inquiry Letter: Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) Force Structure
Abstract
I am writing to request information regarding the analysis underlying the current and future size and structure of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). My office is tasked with, among other things, overseeing and accounting for funds disbursed from the Afghanistan Security Forces Fund, which has been the source of over $50 billion disbursed in support of the ANSF. I am making this request because size and force structure are important factors in determining the costs associated with training, equipping and housing Afghan soldiers and police officers. A According to the October 2014 Department of Defense Report on Progress towards Security and Stability in Afghanistan, the current authorized end-strength of the ANSF is 352,000, which includes members of the Afghan National Army, Air Force, and National Police. An independent assessment of the ANSF performed by the Center for Naval Analyses in 2014 concluded that in order to maintain national security through 2018, the ANSF would need a force of approximately 373,000 soldiers and police officers. However, in discussions with my staff, CSTC-A officers stated that a recent report on "force optimization" lays out a plan for a future reduction in the end-strength of the ANSF. This apparent discrepancy between assessments of requisite ANSF end-strength raises questions regarding the U.S. governments ability to anticipate future costs associated with support of those forces.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 19, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1140140
Entities
People
- John Sopko
Organizations
- Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction