To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his assessment is of the strength and capabilities of the (a) Afghan National Army, (b) Afghan National Police and (c) Afghan Auxiliary Police Force. (154243)

The Afghan National Army has approximately 40,000 trained and equipped soldiers and is capable of joint combat operations alongside the international forces deployed in Afghanistan. The Afghan National Police (ANP) is currently 76,000 strong. It is augmented by the 6,000-strong Afghan National Auxiliary Police. Overall, the level of capability is less advanced in the Afghan police services than in the Army.