Small Wars Journal

Watchdog Concerned US is Sending Too Much Equipment to Afghan Forces

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Thu, 09/17/2015 - 4:32am

Watchdog Concerned US is Sending Too Much Equipment to Afghan Forces by Thomas Gibbons-Neff, Washington Post

A government watchdog agency is concerned that the Pentagon is buying and sending an inordinate amount of weapons and equipment to Afghan Security forces, according a letter sent Thursday to Gen. John F. Campbell, the commanding general of U.S. forces in Afghanistan.

The letter, sent by John Sopko, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, takes issue with the number of Humvees purchased ($166 million worth for the Afghan National Army), as well as M16A4 rifles ($35 million for the Afghan police), Medium Tactical Vehicles ($381 million for the Afghan Army) and ammunition ($52 million for the Afghan Army).

“I am concerned that we may be buying equipment and vehicles in quantities that exceed the needs of the [Afghan National Defense Security Forces],” wrote Sopko…

Read on.

Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) webpage

Comments

Not just too much equipment but equipment that is too complicated and maintenance intensive: Harris radios, mobile strike vehicles (upgraded M1117's), M4/ M16 rifles, etc......