Afghanistan National Security Force (ANSF) is the ultimate hope of the Afghan people. Keeping the integrity of this force means keeping the integrity of the whole nation. Twelve years back, the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police started their crucial journey from zero. Today Afghanistan has 350,000 strong security forces which seemed more like a dream when Taliban government had just been ousted in 2001. This is the presence of such a force that the chance of Taliban’s return to government has become near to zero. As the international troops are on the path to withdraw, the need for ANSF to be equipped with latest weaponry and existence of a strong air force is being felt more than ever before.  

Knowing the vitality of a well-equipped army, President Hamid Karzai has raised the issue of weaponry for ANSF many times in the past. In a meeting with Defense Minister Bismillah Muhammadi and senior ANA generals on Sunday, the President has once again emphasized that ANA should be fortified with modern arms, with a competent and well-equipped air force to protect the country’s borders. He said that a strong military was important to ensure the country’s territorial integrity.

For stronger defense, President Karzai has been calling upon the Western allies of Afghanistan to provide security forces of the country with latest artilleries, weapons, tanks and aircrafts. In his latest visits to India too, he had resembling request from Indian government. Nonetheless, no country has responded positively to the call of President Karzai.

The fact that Afghanistan’s air force faces lack of helicopters, fighting planes and its ground forces do not have enough modern weapons, tanks and other war equipment in their hand can be deemed a major reason behind the growing graph of their casualties.

Both the Afghan government and its international allies have not been paying serious attention to fulfilling the needs of ANSF. The security officials have been putting forward their requests to the government from time to time but have never been addressed.

To let ANSF be in a better position against the Taliban and other groups of insurgents, it must be provided with latest weapons, tanks, war crafts and other military equipment. Trainings are pivotal for Afghan security forces but now they need modern military equipments more than training.