LONDON (AFP) — NATO forces in Afghanistan are "critically" under-resourced, the foreign ministry said in a confidential document distributed to Western allies, the Daily Telegraph reported Tuesday.
The three-page document, which the Telegraph said it had obtained, warns that "critical military gaps remain to be filled" with regard to the alliance's mission there.
As part of a list of items described as "critical areas to fill", the document says NATO needs an extra three infantry battalions in Afghanistan, as well as additional helicopters, aircraft and training teams to better equip the Afghan army.
According to the Telegraph, the document also raises concerns about what will happen when 2,300 US Marines are withdrawn from southern Afghanistan in November.
NATO's International Security and Assistance Force includes about 47,000 troops, about 7,800 of whom are British.
Britain, the United States and Canada have called on their NATO allies to provide more resources for Afghanistan.
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