Official: Afghanistan needs jets from U.S.

 Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak said Tuesday that while Afghanistan’s current firepower is enough to deal with insurgents, the nation needs more advanced weapons, like fighter jets, to defend against foreign threats and ensure a balance of power in the region.

 The United States, as part of an effort to bolster, train and equip the Afghan army, has provided billions of dollars in equipment but has balked at supplying sophisticated technology like fighter planes, arguing that Afghanistan doesn’t need such armaments and does not yet have the capacity to maintain them.

 “What we are asking to acquire is just the ability to defend ourselves, and also to be relevant in the future so that our friends and allies can count on us to participate in peacekeeping and other operations of mutual interest,” Wardak said at a briefing.

 Wardak said about $10 billion has already been allocated by the U.S. to equip and train the country’s army and police.

 He said another package totaling about $10 billion is being discussed, but must still be approved by U.S. lawmakers.

Associated Press