Afghanistan says it would object if the United States decided to hand over surplus armored vehicles and other military equipment to Pakistan.
The Washington Post reported earlier this week that the Pentagon may give Pakistan some of the $7 billion worth of armored vehicles and other equipment it needs to dispose of now that the war in Afghanistan is ending.
Emal Faizi, Afghan President Hamid Karzai's spokesman said in an interview with VOA’s Afghan service that his country would oppose such a move.
"Afghan security forces need this type of equipment and that as a strategic partner, the U.S. needs to consult with Afghanistan before making such a decision." said Faizi.
The Post story says U.S. and Pakistani officials have been discussing the fate of the leftover military hardware that the United States does not want to pay to ship or fly home.
Retired Brigadier General Mahmood Shah, a Pakistani defense analyst, told the Afghan service that giving this hardware to Pakistan makes sense.
"The insurgency in Pakistan is more like the insurgency in Afghanistan in that improvised explosive devices have killed the most Pakistan security personnel. Having the armored equipment would help decrease casualties," said Shah.
Some defense analysts note what they say is Pakistan’s pressing need to acquire mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles and other types of weapons to fight the militancy; but, they say, if the United States does consider giving such equipment to Pakistan, then Pakistan's eastern neighbor, India, may join Afghanistan in raising objections.
The Washington Post reported earlier this week that the Pentagon may give Pakistan some of the $7 billion worth of armored vehicles and other equipment it needs to dispose of now that the war in Afghanistan is ending.
Emal Faizi, Afghan President Hamid Karzai's spokesman said in an interview with VOA’s Afghan service that his country would oppose such a move.
"Afghan security forces need this type of equipment and that as a strategic partner, the U.S. needs to consult with Afghanistan before making such a decision." said Faizi.
The Post story says U.S. and Pakistani officials have been discussing the fate of the leftover military hardware that the United States does not want to pay to ship or fly home.
Retired Brigadier General Mahmood Shah, a Pakistani defense analyst, told the Afghan service that giving this hardware to Pakistan makes sense.
"The insurgency in Pakistan is more like the insurgency in Afghanistan in that improvised explosive devices have killed the most Pakistan security personnel. Having the armored equipment would help decrease casualties," said Shah.
Some defense analysts note what they say is Pakistan’s pressing need to acquire mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles and other types of weapons to fight the militancy; but, they say, if the United States does consider giving such equipment to Pakistan, then Pakistan's eastern neighbor, India, may join Afghanistan in raising objections.
