Decline in Afghan forces less sharp than thought: SIGAR
The strength of Afghanistan's security forces has declined less sharply than previously reported, a US watchdog said, citing incorrect figures given by the US military in April 2018.
The quarterly report from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), released in April 2018, had stated that Afghan security forces had been depleted by about 10% over the course of a year.
Based on that figure, there were estimated to be 296,409 active military, police and intelligence personnel as of 31 January 2018.
But on 15 May SIGAR said corrected figures from United States Forces-Afghanistan ‘indicate a total ANDSF (Afghan National Defence and Security Forces) strength of 313,728 as of 31 January.’
The watchdog said: ‘The new numbers still show that overall ANDSF strength declined sharply from January 2017 to January 2018 (by 17,980 personnel), though not as sharply as reported.’
The confusion was ‘the latest in a series of problems SIGAR’ has faced regarding information about Afghan forces, it said.
The updated figures come on the heels of another deadly day in Afghanistan as the Taliban launched an assault on the western city of Farah. Commandos from Herat and Kandahar were rushed to the provincial capital as US and Afghan air forces carried out airstrikes.
This helped to push the insurgents to the outskirts of Farah by early 16 May, though a clearing operation was still going on.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Why small guns have been critical to layered CUAS architectures]()
Why small guns have been critical to layered CUAS architectures
Multiple countries have been deploying small arms as the last line of drone defence due to their multiple operational and tactical advantages.
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: ST Engineering hints at export success for AME assault rifle family]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: ST Engineering hints at export success for AME assault rifle family
The Singapore-based technology company unveiled its new rifle family at this week’s airshow. Chen Chuanren spoke with the ST Engineering’s head of small arms to find out more about how the weapons have been refined.
-
![High tension in the High North – a wake-up call for NATO’s future Arctic defence efforts?]()
High tension in the High North – a wake-up call for NATO’s future Arctic defence efforts?
Any potential ‘Arctic Sentry’ mission would be months in the planning, but with tensions high in the region given the US’s push for Greenland, NATO countries will need to continue to emphasise their commitment to the region, analysts have said.
-
![Venezuela prepares personnel and equipment for a potential second US attack]()
Venezuela prepares personnel and equipment for a potential second US attack
Defence Minister Gen Vladimir Padrino López has declared that the Venezuelan armed forces “will continue to employ all its available capabilities for military defence”.
-
![As the new year starts, the UK defence spending delay continues]()
As the new year starts, the UK defence spending delay continues
The UK’s defence spending commitments remain uncertain as the government’s Defence Investment Plan, which had been due by the end of 2025, is yet to be published.
