NATO is stepping up deliveries of military equipment to Afghanistan as the Alliance withdraws its forces from the country. So far this year, NATO has donated roughly US$72 million worth of supplies and equipment to the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces, ranging from medical supplies to high-tech combat simulators, hospital X-ray machines, and specialist equipment to defuse bombs. The latest delivery arrived on Monday (2 August 2021).
“The security situation in Afghanistan remains deeply challenging, so these supplies arrive at an important time,” said acting NATO spokesperson Dylan White. “As we withdraw our forces from the country, we will continue to support Afghanistan, including with equipment to help the Afghan forces better provide for their own security,” he said. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg reiterated NATO’s continued support for Afghanistan in a call with President Ashraf Ghani on 27 July, noting that this will include funding, civilian presence, and out-of-country training.
Among the NATO-funded supplies is medical gear to treat wounded soldiers on the battlefield and equipment for Kabul’s National Medical Hospital. The supplies also include firefighting trucks, body armour and teaching materials to help children spot and avoid landmines. Projects are aimed at strengthening the Afghan security forces, especially in the areas of logistics, organisation, education and medicine.
The equipment has been funded through the NATO-run Afghan National Army Trust Fund. As of May, total contributions made to the Trust Fund since 2007 amounted to around US$3.5 billion, of which roughly $440 million have gone toward supplies and equipment.