The U.S. plans to give more than 6,000 guns to the Afghanistan National Army, demonstrating “the U.S. commitment to Afghanistan’s security,” the U.S. Department of State said Thursday.
“The proposed sale will enhance the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner by providing weapons needed to maintain security and stability, as well as to conduct offensive operations against an ongoing insurgency,” according to a statement from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which manages the sale of military equipment to foreign governments. The Department of State has to approve all foreign military sales before they are finalized.
The DSCA estimates the cost will be around $60 million. Though it’s considered a sale, “Afghanistan will use U.S. government grants to fund and support this proposed purchase,” the statement says.
The announcement of the sale comes after reports the Taliban in Afghanistan teamed up with ISIS to resist U.S. forces in the country. “Afghanistan has an urgent requirement to increase its stocks of crew-served weapons for ongoing counter-insurgency operations and enduring threats to its national sovereignty,” the DSCA said.(RELATED: Regenerated Taliban Could Pose Major Threat To US In Afghanistan)
Afghanistan will receive 4,891 M16 rifles, 484 M240B machine guns, and 800 M2 .50 caliber machine guns.
“These articles were determined to be necessary and are based on Afghanistan’s force structure and operational requirements,” the DSCA said.
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