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The transfer marks the beginning of delivery of more than 800 various up-armored vehicles for the ANA, according to Afghan President Hamid Karzai said.
“This is only the tip of the mountain of deliveries … you will see many things the U.S. is committed to give Afghanistan in order to support the defense force,” Karzai said. “We appreciate both current and future donations.”
Afghan Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Abdul Rahim Wardak said the vehicles and weapons will help the ANA gain the capability to conduct independent operations.
“This dramatically increases ANA mobility, assault and survivability,” Wardak said. “By Allah’s aid, and the backing of the Afghan people, these vehicles and weapons will help us defend the country and challenge all threats in the most hazardous area of the Asian continent.”
Karzai praised his nation’s army and expressed gratitude to the United States.
“Today we are very happy and proud of our national army,” he said. “We appreciate its minister, chief of general staff, officers and, mostly, its noncommissioned officers and soldiers. This country will be forever in their debt.
“Let’s take care of these vehicles and weapons bought with millions of U.S. taxpayer dollars,” Karzai continued. “We should be grateful for the delivery of this equipment and use them in the correct way.”
(From a Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan news release.)
