In Depth News and Information on Afghanistan's Military
(Afghan National Army, Afghan Air Force, and Militias).
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 According to the
constitution of Afghanistan, the defense of the country is the
responsibility of all citizens of Afghanistan. Similar to the United
States Military Academy at West Point, Afghanistan has established the
National Military Academy of Afghanistan. It's mission is to produce
officers for the Afghan National Army and Afghan Air Force. The Afghan
National Army estimated to be around a little more than 76,000 troops [1]
and growing, was put together and is currently being trained by the United
States and other coalition forces. Desertion and difficulty recruiting
qualified individuals are
the major problems faced by the Army. The Afghan government would like the
country's armed forces to be somewhere between 150,000 to 200,000. Senior Afghan officials openly admit
that Afghanistan's armed forces are not ready to defend the country
against the Taliban and Al Qaeda and will need international assistance
for many years.
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Latest Afghan Military Related News |
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Basic Facts on Afghanistan's
Military |
- Branches: Afghan National Army and Afghan Air Corps. There are
also militias authorized by the government.
- Minister of Defense:
Abdul Raheem Wardak
- Chief of Staff:
General Bismillah Khan
- Military service age and obligation: 22 years of age; inductees
are contracted into service for a 4-year term. [2]
- Manpower available for military service: Males age 16-49:
7,431,147
Females age 16-49: 7,004,819 (2008 est.) [2]
- Manpower fit for military service:
Males age 16-49: 4,234,180
Females age 16-49: 3,946,685 (2008 est.)[2]
- Manpower reaching service age annually: Males age 16-49:
371,451
Females age 16-49: 351,295 (2008 est.) [2]
- Military expenditures - percent of GDP: 1.9% (2006 est.) [2]
- Major Modern Wars: Anglo Afghan War I, II, & III, and the
Soviet War
- Major Foreign Donor/Supplier: U.S.A
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Afghan Military
Related Links |
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References:
[1] Xinhua report - May 11, 2008 - "Afghan
national army strength rises to 76,000"
[2] United States Central Intelligence Agency
(CIA) - accessed May 5, 2008
Section last updated by Abdullah Qazi (May 11, 2008)
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