KABUL, Afghanistan The West will subsidize Afghan security forces by more than $4 billion a year after U.S.-led troops leave in 2014, President Hamid Karzai said March 22, implicitly accepting a cut in the planned size of his military.
Western officials told AFP that no final agreements had been reached on funding or on the size of Afghanistans security forces after combat troops in NATOs U.S.-led International Security Assistance Force withdraw.
But Karzai told a graduation ceremony at a military academy in Kabul: Its set that post 2014, for the next 10 years until 2024, the international community, with the U.S. in the lead and followed by Europe and other countries, will pay Afghanistan security forces $4.1 billion annually.
It would cover both the army and other armed forces, he said, adding: We agree and thank them.
Karzais Western allies in the war against Taliban insurgents want to avoid the country descending into civil war after they leave.
But while NATO officials have long projected future Afghan forces at 352,000 men, the United States recently circulated a proposal for a total strength of 230,000, and Western officials say the $4.1 billion cost is based on that figure.
It is a fraction of current Western spending on the war. The 10-year conflict has cost the United States more than $444 billion.
But Afghan defense officials have expressed concerns over whether security forces 230,000 strong would be adequate.
West Will Give Afghan Forces $4B Per Year: Karzai | Defense News | defensenews.com
Western officials told AFP that no final agreements had been reached on funding or on the size of Afghanistans security forces after combat troops in NATOs U.S.-led International Security Assistance Force withdraw.
But Karzai told a graduation ceremony at a military academy in Kabul: Its set that post 2014, for the next 10 years until 2024, the international community, with the U.S. in the lead and followed by Europe and other countries, will pay Afghanistan security forces $4.1 billion annually.
It would cover both the army and other armed forces, he said, adding: We agree and thank them.
Karzais Western allies in the war against Taliban insurgents want to avoid the country descending into civil war after they leave.
But while NATO officials have long projected future Afghan forces at 352,000 men, the United States recently circulated a proposal for a total strength of 230,000, and Western officials say the $4.1 billion cost is based on that figure.
It is a fraction of current Western spending on the war. The 10-year conflict has cost the United States more than $444 billion.
But Afghan defense officials have expressed concerns over whether security forces 230,000 strong would be adequate.
West Will Give Afghan Forces $4B Per Year: Karzai | Defense News | defensenews.com