Australia starts delivering counter IED equipment to Afghanistan

Australia has kicked off deliveries of counter improvised explosive (IED) device equipment to the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) as part of the country’s role in the Afghan National Army (ANA) Trust Fund.

As part of the project, Australian will be responsible for the provision of economical, robust and lightweight force protection systems for the ANSF to counter IED devices, for deployment by the dismounted personnel and for integrating onboard light vehicles.

Further the Defence Materiel Organisation’s Australian Military Sales Office together with Australian defence industry has been working on deciding the manufacturer for the equipment for Afghan partners.

Australia Defence Minister Kevin Andrews said: "Improvised explosive devices represent a significant and immediate threat to our Afghan partners and these systems will provide considerable protection for the ANSF as it works to ensure the security of Afghanistan and its people.

"I am delighted that Australia can, through the ANA Trust Fund, assist our Afghan partners in countering this threat."

Australia has also committed to offer $100m per year from 2015 to 2017 towards the sustainment of the ANSF, as part of efforts to support the development and sustainment of Afghan security forces.

A recent report claims that the there is a risk of Islamic State (IS) militants escalating their operations to Afghanistan.