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UK MPs call for publication of full cost of Afghan war

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

London, July 28, IRNA -- The Ministry of Defence (MoD) must put into the public domain the full cost of military operations in Afghanistan, the Defence Select Committee asked in a new report published Thursday.

“Although there are obvious standing expenses, the Afghan deployment brings with it additional costs in terms of training opportunities cancelled or deferred and equipment wear and tear that will eventually have to be met,” the committee said.

The report shows the MoD Main Estimates for the war in 2011–12, has increased to a record of just over £4 billion, including £2.8bn for resources and £1.2bn for capital in the most detailed annual figures provided so far.

In June 2010, the government admitted that the total cost of the first 9 years of the war reached £11.1bn, but in terms of only additional costs to the defence budget, excluding troops' salaries, care for the wounded and replacement equipment.

“The MoD is publishing a great deal of information which we are grateful for but we find it frustrating that in some instances the Department appears to be unable or unwilling to provide the kind of detailed information we ask for,” said committee chair James Arbuthnot.

This was “notably in respect of the total cost of military operations and the detail of savings proposed,” Arbuthnot said, warning that the failure prevents proper parliamentary scrutiny and that the committee expected the MoD to fill the gaps.

The cost of the military conflict is very sensitive coming at a time of economic austerity in the UK and the extent of opposition to the war which British is committed to fighting for another four years.