AFGHANISTAN
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the UK's long-term contribution to the Afghan National Military Academy will be; and if he will make a statement. [136240]
Mr Robathan, Minister of State for Defence: The National Military Academy of Afghanistan (NMAA) is located at the Qargha site, outside Kabul, which will also be home to the Afghan National Army Officer Academy where the UK will be the coalition lead partner.
At its peak UK support to the Afghan National Army Officer Academy will include approximately 90 mentoring staff. UK military personnel will also be deployed to sustain and protect our advisory footprint.
The NMAA modelled after the US Military Academy at West Point, is a US-sponsored officer training institution running since November 2008. It is not directly supported by the UK.
Together the National Military Academy of Afghanistan and the Afghan National Army Officer Academy will form part of the Afghan National Defence University.