With debate over possible increases to the U.S.-led NATO force in Afghanistan, many are asking what capability the Afghans have themselves at this point to provide security for the country and quash Taliban uprisings. Here are some figures on the Afghan National Army:
- As of mid-September, according to NATO, the strength of the army is at about 93,980, or 70 percent of the October 2010 goal of 134,000 personnel. Still, the current troop strength is the highest the country has seen since 1979.
- Afghans are eligible to serve for four-year terms after reaching age 22.
- The CIA estimates that 4.3 million males and 4 million women are fit for military service.
- The Afghan National Army operates five corps headquarters: in Herat, Mazar-e-Sharif, Kabul, Kandahar and Gardez. The Air Corps operates out of Kandahar.
- According to NATO, more than 90 percent of operations conducted by the International Security Assistance Force are done in conjunction with the Afghan National Army.
- Only 1.9 percent of Afghanistan's GDP is spent on military expenditures, making the country 84th in the world on military spending.
- About 68,000 military trainers from the U.S. and other NATO members have been working with the ANA and national police forces.
