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Backgrounder

Military Strengthens its Reconstruction and Stabilization Efforts in Afghanistan

BG–06.027 - September 15, 2006

The Department of National Defence today announced the strengthening of reconstruction and stabilization efforts in Afghanistan.

The enhancements are being sent at the request of Brigadier General David Fraser, Commander Task Force Afghanistan, and Lieutenant General Michel Gauthier, Commander Canadian Expeditionary Force Command, in light of the changing tactical situation in the area.

The enhancements will help secure the region around Kandahar, thereby enabling reconstruction efforts. The new assets will give the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) an integral security capability to achieve its objectives and allow for greater mobility on the ground while improving security for troops.

The additional capabilities will be sent to Task Force Afghanistan immediately including:

An infantry company from Valcartier, Quebec, to protect and escort the PRT, to provide a quick reaction force for Kandahar city, and to undertake defence and security tasks;
A Leopard tank squadron from Edmonton, Alberta, to better protect and enable the Canadian Forces to fight in those areas where Taliban forces have established well-coordinated and determined defences;
Military project managers (military engineers) to enhance the PRT’s capability to manage quick impact reconstruction and development projects: and,
A counter-mortar capability to locate Taliban forces that are targeting Canadian Forces installations with indirect mortar fire.

These enhancements and associated resources will raise the number of deployed CF personnel in Afghanistan to approximately 2,500.

Support to Reconstruction Efforts

Reconstruction and humanitarian efforts continue alongside the mission. In fact, some aspects of the augmentation of CF capabilities, including additional engineering personnel and equipment, are also intended to enhance the capacity of the Provincial Reconstruction Team to achieve its objectives and to protect itself. Military project managers (military engineers) will serve to enhance the PRT’s capability to manage quick impact reconstruction and development projects.

The additional capabilities being provided will allow commanders to move ahead with Canadian initiatives as part of the whole-of-government approach that has been constrained because of ongoing Taliban activity in the area of operation.

The Canadian Forces is an integral member of the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team (KPRT). Their main goal is to integrate efforts to reinforce the authority of the Afghan government in and around Kandahar Province to help stabilize the region. To achieve these effects, they regularly conduct security patrols, contribute labour and resources to local reconstruction efforts, support local governance institutions, and facilitate reforms in the security sector.

The following KPRT highlights listed below are only some of their achievements since February 2006:

Nine village medical outreach visits were organised in conjunction with the Battle Group around Kandahar Province. More than 2000 Afghan people received basic medical care and material assistance in remote areas from Panjwai to Mienishin.

The KPRT participated in International Women’s Day and supported the celebration. Two Women’s wellness session took place. One at the Directorate of Women’s affairs building and one at the Kandahar Prison. The goal of these sessions is to improve quality of life of women and inform them on Government activities.

The KPRT distributed more than 6,000 donated school kits to children around Kandahar Province and donated 100 bicycles to the Ministry of Education for the end of year awards.

The KPRT continued and improved on the Mechanic Repair Operation to support the Afghan National Police. As a result, local Afghans received training and are working to repair Afghan National Police (ANP) vehicles. More vehicles mean more patrols, and more patrols mean better security for the people of Kandahar.

The KPRT donated computers and constructed a water distribution system for Kandahar University. The KPRT also purchased a generator to provide enough power for courses to carry on during days where there is no electricity in the city.

The KPRT employed more than 100 Afghans and engaged many local businesses for projects at Camp Nathan Smith, which represented approximately $3 million CAD spent in the local economy.

Support to Stabilization Effort

Canadian soldiers face a complex and very demanding mission in Afghanistan with diverse landscapes ranging from mountainous, isolated and remote regions to busy urban centres with large populations. The situation on the ground in Afghanistan recently shifted due to the changing tactics of the Taliban operating in the southern region, where Canadian and NATO troops are seeking to stabilize areas. Increased capabilities are needed to provide Task Force Afghanistan Commanders with the most effective tools they required to give them more options in the field of operations. These resources provide greater mobility, protection of our troops, flexibility and precision firepower.

Task Force Afghanistan has reached the stage where, with a small increase in personnel and equipment, it can dramatically multiply its opportunities to secure and stabilize the region. The sooner it can provide security and stability in their area of operations, the sooner it can help the Afghan people develop a positive and independent future for themselves and their children.

The augmentation of capabilities, especially the Leopard tanks and Armoured Engineer Vehicles, is a necessary response to the Taliban, who are disrupting the activities of Afghanistan’s democratic government. Deploying new or additional capabilities during a mission is a normal practice as the situation in the region dictates.

Leopard C2 Tank

Canada chose to send its Leopard C2 tank squadron to the region as it represents the Army’s most effective direct fire support capability – an essential part of the combined arms team enabling land forces to manoeuvre on the battlefield.

The Leopard C2 tank provides direct and precise fire power, armoured protection, mobility, and other tactical advantages such as shock effect. The Leopard C2 also has improved ability to operate effectively at night and in poor visibility conditions on the battlefield.

Armoured Engineering Vehicle (Badger)

Canada decided to send the Armoured Engineering Vehicle, known as a Badger, for its multiple capabilities to assist with both stabilization and reconstruction efforts. The Badger is well suited to activities where civilian equipment could be destroyed or disabled.

These capabilities include:

A crane with a maximum lifting capacity of 7.8 tonnes;
A dozer blade that can be used to clear rubble and level surfaces;
An excavator bucket that can move up to 270 cubic meters of material per hour;
An excavator arm that can be fitted with two grappling teeth for picking up large objects;
An electric welding and cutting unit that can assist with construction efforts;
A CAPSTAN winch with a pulling capacity of 35 tonnes with 90 meters of cable;
The Badger can carry and deploy the class 60 Track Way – a portable road – that can be used to repair conventional roads and airport runways; and,
A number of hydraulic tools such as a jackhammer and impact wrenches.

The Badger is a robust system that provides a high degree of protection to our soldiers engaged in full spectrum operations. With a top speed of 62 km/h it is able to keep up with maneuver elements and provides significant capabilities that can be used by commanders in all theatres of operation.

Counter Mortar Capability

A counter mortar capability will also be provided to Task Force Afghanistan. These weapon systems are used to detect incoming mortar rounds and rockets, to provide targeting information and location, and to effectively neutralize hostile mortars.

For more information on the vehicles and equipment of Canada’s Army, please visit the Army website: http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/

Why we are there

More than 2,000 members of the Canadian Forces (CF) are in Afghanistan today at the request of the Afghan Government, most of them as part of the UN-Sanctioned NATO-led International Stabilization Assistance Force (ISAF) mission to:

Help the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and its people to build a stable, peaceful and self-sustaining democratic country.
Provide the people of Afghanistan with the hope for a brighter future by establishing the security necessary to promote development; and,
Defend Canadian interests at home and abroad by preventing Afghanistan from relapsing into a failed state that provides a safe haven for terrorists and terrorist organizations.

The augmentation of resources is part of Canada’s commitment to NATO’s reinforcement initiative, which will reinforce Task Force Afghanistan and better equip the multinational force to execute its International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mandate.

Are we making a difference?

Canada is making a difference in Afghanistan. In cooperation with our NATO allies, Canada is assisting Afghans in rebuilding their war-ravaged nation and in creating a better future for themselves and their children. There have been many momentous achievements regarding the successful development of their constitution, governmental election processes, as well as the educational schooling of over four million registered children.

However, a democracy can only develop and thrive within a stable environment over time. Reforms are currently underway in defence, justice and finance, while there has been significant progress made with de-mining in the country, as well as the reintegration of over three million Afghans to their homeland.

Canadian soldiers are risking their lives to bring stability and hope to the people of Afghanistan. These efforts will also lead to a more secure environment for further development activities by Canadian diplomats, the RCMP, the Canadian International Development Agency and local Afghan authorities.

For more information on operations in Afghanistan, please visit the Op ATHENA website at the following link: http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/operations/current_ops_e.asp

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