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Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF)

A soldier from the Afghan National Army sends a radio report. An Afghan National Army warrior.

Ensuring ANSF are strong enough to enforce security throughout Afghanistan is fundamental to the ISAF strategy.

A NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A) has been launched which is responsible for the ANSF's institutional training, education and professional development activities, as set out by the Afghan Ministries of Defence and Interior.

The ANA and ANP are trained by ISAF troops and their efforts have seen the ANSF grow in capability and size in recent years.

  • In October 2010 the ANA is 138,000 strong with the intent for it to grow to 172,000 by October 2011.
  • In October 2010 the ANP is 120,000 strong with the intent for it to grow to 134,000 by October 2011.

Afghan National Army

UK Forces are shifting the balance of our military effort from frontline combat towards training and mentoring the ANA and ANP.

  • The basic unit in the ANA is the Battalion or Kandak, consisting of 600 troops.
  • The vast majority of the Army is made up from infantry soldiers.
  • More than 90 per cent of ISAF operations are conducted in conjunction with the ANA. 

Afghan National Police

The ANP is the primary national police force in Afghanistan. It is under the responsibility of Afghanistan's Ministry of the Interior. The ANP is composed of the following sub-agencies:

Afghan Uniform Police (AUP). The AUP is the primary civil law enforcement agency in Afghanistan. It is divided into five regional command centres, as well as the Afghan National Civil Order Police or ANCOP. Other forces falling under the command and control of the ANP include local traffic police departments and the fire department. 

Afghan Border Police (ABP) The ABP are responsible for securing the borders of Afghanistan against the illegal entry of persons and the smuggling of illegal goods.

Afghan Highway Police  The highway police are a sub-department of the national police that is currently being dissolved. Their primary responsibility is to provide traffic safety and overall security of the 'Ring Road' highway that connects most of the major population centres in Afghanistan.

Partnering and advising

The Advisory Group is critical in partnering and developing the ANA and building the capacity needed by the Afghan security forces to defeat the insurgents and protect the people of Afghanistan.

Who trains the Afghan National Army and Police?