Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the combat-enabling functions of the Afghan National Army. [136239]

Mr Robathan, Minister of State for Defence: We carry out formal assessments on the capability of the Afghan National Security Forces on a routine and regular basis.

There has been real progress in the development of the Afghan National Army (ANA) since the NATO Training Mission—Afghanistan was established in 2009. Their capacity and capability has improved significantly in this time. They are now deploying in formed units,
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carrying out their own operations and conducting their own training. Nationally, the Afghan National Security Forces as a whole now lead 80% of conventional operations and carry out 90% of their training.

The ANA still depend on ISAF allies for some key enablers. Ensuring the ANA's ability to sustain and enable its own operations will be a major focus of ISAF's efforts in Afghanistan over the next two years. The NATO Training Mission—Afghanistan recognise that developing their logistic capability, medical care and air support in particular will be essential to ensuring they become a fully sustainable force.

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