Procurements for Afghan military reviewed

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Recent procurements by the U.S. military of equipment for Afghanistan's National Defense and Security Forces are under review.

The U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, a congressionally mandated organization to provide independent and objective oversight of Afghanistan reconstruction projects and activities, has asked U.S. commanders in Afghanistan about the order of Humvees, rifles, ammunition and medium tactical vehicles worth a combined total of $634 million.

I am concerned that we may be buying equipment and vehicles in quantities that exceed the needs of the ANDSF," SIGAR head John F. Sopko wrote the commanders. "I am also concerned that such large acquisitions could prompt the premature disposal of equipment and vehicles that have already been issued to the ANDSF and that have significant service life remaining."

In his letter to U.S. commanders in Afghanistan Sopko requested answers -- and documentation where appropriate -- to seven specific questions by Oct. 15.

Among them:

How did Combined Security Assistance Command-Afghanistan determine the need for each procurement and the quantity of the equipment or vehicles to be procured? Were Afghan officials involved in generating the requirements for each procurement, and do they continue to believe that each procurement is necessary? Prior to initiating each procurement, did the Department of Defense consider whether excess equipment or vehicles in its possession were available and whether transfer of those items would have been a suitable alternative to a new procurement?

SIGAR submits quarterly reports to Congress on its audits and investigations.