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Transition

What is transition?

Transition is the process of the international community gradually transferring responsibility for security across Afghanistan to Afghan security forces - the Afghan national army and police force.

The shared aim of President Karzai and all 50 members of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) is that transition should be completed across the whole of Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

Transition is a phased process; Afghan security forces are gradually taking the lead in districts and provinces as their capability improves.  Areas for transition are jointly selected by the Afghan government and by ISAF when Afghan forces are ready to take on more security responsibilities in an area.  They also consider the Afghan government’s ability to provide the rule of law and manage public administration and the capacity of an area to sustain socio-economic development.  

The UK military has undertaken a large number of operations to improve the standard and scope of security in Helmand. We are also helping to strengthen Afghan institutions and support the economic development and political processes that underpin long-term peace and stability. 

Does this mean British troops will return to the UK soon?

As Afghan soldiers and police get better at maintaining their own security, the role of international troops will evolve.  Progressively, the focus will move from combat to training and support roles.  This will make it possible for the number of international troops in Afghanistan to be gradually reduced over the period of transition.  UK forces will no longer be in a combat role or in the numbers they are now in Afghanistan by 2015.

Transition does not equate to troop withdrawal.  As progress is made, some troops will be brought home, others will move into training roles and some will continue combat operations where necessary.  On 6 July 2011, the Prime Minister announced that the UK will be able to reduce its force levels by 500 to 9,000 by the end of 2012.  

The process of transition to Afghan security control has already begun.  President Karzai announced the first provinces and districts to begin transition, including the city of Lashkar Gah in Helmand, on 22 March 2011 and the security transition process began in July. The second and third sets of areas were announced on 27 November 2011 and 13 May 2012 respectively. Across Afghanistan, this announcement means that Afghan Forces will soon begin to take lead responsibility for the security of about 75% of the country’s population.

How will transition be achieved?

We are training and equipping Afghan security forces so that they can take responsibility for Afghanistan’s security.  Afghan and ISAF troops are increasing the number of joint ‘partnered’ patrols and operations they conduct – these are increasingly Afghan-led. International troops are also mentoring Afghan army and police, providing advice and support.

The UK contribution to policing is part of a wider international effort. The UK contributes 19 senior civilian police officers as advisers, mentors and trainers in the EU and NATO training missions. The NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan runs a range of educational and developmental training, including delivery of the majority of the basic entry training for ANP Patrolmen and NCOs, jointly agreed by NATO and the Afghan government. The EU Police training mission (EUPOL), of over 300 international staff and 175 local staff, monitors, mentors, advises and trains in professional and specialist areas of policing (for example, leadership and criminal investigations) the Afghan Ministry of Interior, and in the regions and provinces. In January 2012, the UK’s contribution will increase to 22 police officers: we will deploy another to EUPOL; the first senior civilian police officer to ISAF Joint Command (IJC), working in a strategic advice role; and a police officer to mentor the Afghan Police Special Units in ISAF.

Additionally, in Helmand, the UK provides 19 Ministry of Defence police and hundreds of military personnel in advisory and partnering functions.

The UK will be helping the creation of an Afghan National Officer Academy. The institution will be modelled on Britain’s Sandhurst and designed to produce high quality platoon leaders.  It will open its doors in 2013, and accept 1,350 recruits annually with some 120 UK troops involved in the training.  It will provide the Afghan army officers of the future.

You can see further information on what we’re doing to strengthen the Afghan Army and support the Police.

What happens after 2014?

UK forces will no longer be in a combat role, or in the numbers they are now, in Afghanistan by 2015. However, the UK will go on having a strong relationship with Afghanistan based on diplomacy, trade, aid and development, and on training Afghan troops and building their security capacity for the future.  

NATO and international partners will also give long-term support to Afghanistan. NATO has agreed an enduring partnership with Afghanistan that will continue after transition has been completed.

See also

• Updates on progress in Afghanistan - Monthly reports to Parliament

Useful links

• Information on the transition process from ISAF
• NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan
• Blog by the head of the Provincial Reconstruction Team
• The EU Police Training Mission (EUPOL)