The Curious Case Of Afghanistan's Naval Forces: A Historical Perspective

Afghanistan does not have a navy. The country's military is known as the Afghan Armed Forces, or the Islamic Emirate Armed Forces, and is commanded by the Taliban government. The armed forces were first established in 1997, but were dissolved in 2001 following the downfall of the Taliban government. The armed forces were re-established in November 2021, after the Taliban's victory in the War in Afghanistan.

The Afghan Armed Forces include the Afghan National Army and the Afghan Air Force, but there is no mention of a navy. This is likely because Afghanistan is a landlocked country, with no access to the sea.

The Taliban's role in the Afghan Armed Forces

1996-2001:

During this period, the Taliban created and commanded the country's armed forces, known as the Islamic Emirate Armed Forces. This marked the first iteration of the Emirate's armed forces, established after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan following the civil war that raged from 1992 to 1996. The Taliban maintained a significant arsenal, including tanks, armoured personnel carriers, and a small air force.

US Invasion, 2001:

The Taliban's rule was disrupted by the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, which resulted in the downfall of the Taliban government and the dissolution of the Islamic Emirate Armed Forces. This intervention marked a shift in the country's military leadership.

2001-2021:

In the two decades following the US invasion, the Afghan Armed Forces underwent significant changes. With support from NATO and partner countries, the focus shifted to creating conditions for the Afghan government to exert authority and build its security forces. This included training, advising, and assisting Afghan security institutions to fight terrorism and secure the country.

2021-Present:

In 2021, the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, and with it, command over the country's armed forces. The Taliban's victory led to the collapse of the US-backed Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and its Afghan National Army. The Taliban re-established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and its armed forces, now referred to as the Islamic Emirate Army or the Afghan Army. This new iteration of the Taliban-led military relies heavily on captured equipment and vehicles from the defeated Afghan National Army.

The Taliban's return to power has had significant implications for Afghanistan's security situation and the rights of its citizens, particularly women. The international community remains concerned about the Taliban's ties to terrorist organisations and the potential for Afghanistan to become a safe haven for terrorist activities.

The role of the Afghan National Army

The Afghan National Army (ANA) was critical to the success of the allied efforts in Afghanistan and the ultimate stability of the national government. The ANA was established in November 2002, and its development was led by the United States and other NATO allies.

The ANA's role was to serve as the military arm of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, with the goal of achieving a "nationally respected, professional, ethnically balanced, Afghan National Army that is democratically accountable, organized, trained, and equipped to meet the security needs of the country." The ANA aimed to protect Afghanistan from internal and external threats, particularly the Taliban and other illegally armed criminal groups.

The ANA's progress was measured in terms of recruitment, training, facilities, and operational capability. While it faced challenges such as illiteracy, corruption, drug abuse, and desertion, the ANA grew in size and capabilities over the years. By July 2008, the ANA had 63,000 troops in the field and 9,000 in training, working towards a goal of a 134,000-strong force. The ANA consisted of 15 ethnically balanced brigades distributed across the country, with corps headquartered in Kabul, Gardez, Kandahar, Herat, and Mazar-e-Sharif.

The ANA also established an Air Corps, later renamed the Afghan Air Force, which played a crucial role in providing transport, medical evacuation, and logistical support. The ANA's ground forces were organized into corps and other major commands, with each corps responsible for a specific area of the country.

In addition to combat operations, the ANA participated in operations other than war, such as humanitarian and disaster relief. The ANA also played a vital role in upholding security during periods of civil unrest, filling the void left by an unprofessional and corrupt Afghan National Police force.

Despite its progress, the ANA relied heavily on coalition forces for combat and combat service support. The ANA's effectiveness was hindered by issues such as poor discipline, drug abuse, and equipment shortages. The ANA's ability to stand on its own without coalition support remained uncertain, and its future depended on continued financial support, professional mentoring, and military partnerships from the international community.

Following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops in 2021, the ANA largely disintegrated in the face of a rapid Taliban offensive. The fall of Kabul led to the surrender or desertion of remaining ANA soldiers, and the Taliban captured large quantities of U.S.-provided military equipment. The ANA's collapse highlighted the need for a well-trained, cohesive, and ethnically balanced military force to ensure the stability and security of Afghanistan.

The role of the Afghan Air Force

The Afghan Air Force (AAF) is a branch of the military of Afghanistan that is responsible for air defence and air warfare.

History

The Royal Afghan Air Force was established in 1921 under the reign of King Amanullah and significantly modernised by King Zahir Shah in the 1960s. During the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan in the 1980s, the Soviet Union built up the Afghan Air Force in an attempt to defeat the mujahideen and preserve the pro-Soviet government of Najibullah. When Najibullah fell in 1992, the number of Afghan aircraft was reduced to 35-40. During Operation Enduring Freedom in 2001, in which the Taliban government was ousted, only a few helicopters remained of the AAF.

Modernisation

Since 2007, the US-led, international Combined Air Power Transition Force (CAPTF) has worked to rebuild and modernise the AAF. The CAPTF serves as the air component of the US-led, international Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan which is responsible for rebuilding the Afghan armed forces.

Personnel and Aircraft

In 2020, the AAF had over 7,500 personnel and 161 aircraft. The AAF is divided into four wings:

• Kabul (201st or 1st Wing): fixed-wing squadron, rotary-wing squadron, Presidential Airlift Squadron
• Kandahar (202nd or 2nd Wing): rotary-wing squadron, fixed-wing squadron
• Shindand (203rd or 3rd Wing): training squadron, rotary-wing squadron
• Mazar-i-Sharif (304th or 4th Wing): rotary-wing squadron

Role

The AAF has three main roles:

• Airlift: In a country with limited ground transportation options, the AAF is responsible for the airlift of soldiers and supplies between corps operating locations, as well as medical and casualty evacuation, and transport of human remains.
• Close Air Support: The AAF provides close air support to the Afghan Army. The A-29 Super Tucano is the AAF's fastest and most powerful aerial interdiction and close-air-attack aircraft.
• Training: The AAF is responsible for training new pilots and aircrew.

The role of the Afghan National Police

Afghanistan has never had a very strong or effective civilian police force. The Afghan National Police (ANP) is the country's overarching police institution and serves as a single law enforcement agency across the country. The ANP is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Interior Affairs in Kabul, Afghanistan, and is headed by Sirajuddin Haqqani. It has nearly 200,000 members as of April 2023.

The ANP includes the Afghan Uniformed Police (AUP), which is responsible for most daily police activities; the Afghan Border Police (ABP), which has stations along the nation's borders and at major airports; the Afghan National Civil Order Police (ANCOP); and the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan (CNPA).

The ANP is divided into five regional commands (north, south, east, west, and central). Other forces falling under the command and control of the ANP include local traffic police departments and the fire department.

The ANP has struggled with corruption, incompetence, and human rights abuses. Attempts to build a credible Afghan police force have faltered, making it difficult to build a capable national force. The ANP has also been criticized for its militarization and use as a counterinsurgency force.

However, there have been some successes in police reform efforts. The United States and international community have helped develop advanced investigative capabilities within specialized police units responsible for investigating specific crimes or core police functions. These units include the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan, the Major Crimes Task Force, and the Special Police Units.

The Afghan government and international partners have also launched various programs to improve ANP reform efforts, such as the Focused District Development (FDD) program and the Focused Border Development program (FBDP).

Overall, the role of the Afghan National Police is to enforce civilian law and maintain security and order in Afghanistan.

The role of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces

The Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) are the military and internal security forces of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The ANDSF is composed of the Afghan National Army, the Ministry of Interior Affairs, and the National Directorate of Security.

The Afghan National Army (ANA) is made up of the Afghan Border Force, Afghan Air Force, Afghan Territorial Army, and Afghan National Civil Order Force. The ANA General Staff commands and controls all of Afghanistan's ground and air forces, including the ANA conventional forces, the Afghan Air Force, the Special Mission Wing, the ANA Special Operations Command, the Afghan National Civil Order Force, and the Afghan Border Force. In total, the ANA consists of 27 combat brigades, three combat air wings, four branch and basic training schools, seven ANCOF brigades, and seven ABF brigades.

The Ministry of Interior Affairs includes the Afghan National Police (ANP), the Afghan Uniformed Police, the Public Security Police, the Afghan Border Police, the General Directorate for Intelligence and Counter Crime, the Afghan Public Protection Force, the Counter Narcotics Police of Afghanistan, the Afghan Local Police, the General Command of Police Special Units, the Afghan Territorial Force, the Crisis Response Unit, and the Commando Force.

The National Directorate of Security is the state intelligence and security service and is part of the ANDSF. The NDS reports directly to the Office of the President.

The ANDSF has developed into a collection of professional institutions that are both committed to their mission and highly respected. However, they still face major challenges in key areas of capacity, such as logistics, air power, and intelligence. The ANDSF has long been dependent on U.S. financial and operational assistance, as well as support from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

The ANDSF will be one of the most crucial components of a stable and successful Afghanistan during and after the peace process. An empowered and effective force will safeguard the Afghan state and the gains of the last two decades, prevent terror safe havens from re-emerging, and ensure that the Taliban complies with the terms of a peace agreement.

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