WASHINGTON DC – If the US and NATO are to succeed in reducing their involvement in Afghanistan and embark on an effective exit strategy, developing and cultivating the Afghan National Army is a top priority.

Through the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, US forces and allied forces and contractors will continue training the ANSF. CSTC-A is under the authority of US Forces-Afghanistan. Geo-political implications of a NATO and US exit from Afghanistan aside, the economic argument for adopting an end-strategy are compelling. The cost to deploy and maintain a single US soldier is nearly $1 million per year; a single ANA soldier equipped with NATO-standard weapons will require less than $40.000 per year.

In the long run, the ANA’s personnel have a better understanding of the culture, enemy and terrain, and could prove more effective than any international force. Additionally, it is important to note that while the US and NATO forces are viewed by many Afghans as an occupying force, Afghan opinion polls rate the ANP as the most trusted national institution.

Efforts to rebuild the ANA began in 2002 and, though slow, progress has been made. According to the Department of Defense, the ANA is now able to lead 75 percent of the combat operations in the Eastern sector, and over 50 percent of operations overall; it participates in about 90 percent of all combat operations. It has taken the lead in at least thirty significant combat and clearing operations, and has demonstrated “increasing competence, effectiveness, and professionalism.” However, as noted, it is still too small to provide enough troops to secure the population in reclaimed areas such as those cleared by Operation Khanjar.

At present, the ANA is divided into five regional corps and an emerging air corps. Plans have been developed for forming by 2011 four new brigade headquarters, twenty-seven new infantry battalions, five combat support battalions, eleven combat service support battalions, five engineer battalions and five artillery battalions.

In its report, Afghanistan Government National Security Markets Homeland Security Research Corporation forecasts that the ?train and equip? program (2010 ? 2014) will present US businesses with over $37 billion of opportunities.

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