19 Jan. 2005

Progress on weapons cantonment in Afghanistan Opinion 12/01/05 - ISAF Joint ISAF/CFC-A Press Conference Background Heavy Weapon Cantonment programme NATO in Afghanistan Key links ISAF online A programme to collect artillery, tanks and other heavy weapons from armed factions in Afghanistan has now commenced in the Panjsher Valley, in the northeastern part of the country. Under the nationwide programme, known as Heavy Weapons Cantonment (HWC), arms belonging to armed factions throughout Afghanistan are collected and stored at special government-run cantonment sites. “This [the start of the programme in the Panjsher Valley] is an important step forward in this programme that seeks to reach the common goal of building an increasingly secure Afghanistan,” said Lt Cdr Ken Mackillop, Spokesman for the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, at a press briefing in Kabul on 12 January. Locking up weapons of war Credit: NATO SITCEN Geo Branch Once deposited, the weapons cannot be removed from the cantonment sites without the permission of both the Ministry of Defence and ISAF. The programme therefore contributes directly to establishing a safe and secure environment in Afghanistan. Throughout the country, the process is now 82% complete and some 7,360 operational and repairable heavy weapons are under lock and key in guarded compounds. The programme is an initiative of the Afghanistan Ministry of Defence. ISAF endorses, supports and facilitates the cantonment of the weapons, including providing logistic support for the collection and transport of the weapons.