THE Defence Force has plans to reduce troop numbers in Afghanistan in what would be a significant shift to Australia's commitment to the war, Fairfax newspapers have reported.According to the report, unnamed Defence sources said the troop draw-down would almost certainly begin this year. It will be achieved at least partly by sending a smaller force to replace the mentoring taskforce now in Afghanistan's Oruzgan province, the sources said.
While any draw-down would be determined by on-the-ground conditions, there was a political need to cut numbers, which would initially fall by about a quarter, they told Fairfax. The sources said contingency plans have been drawn up to reduce Australian troop numbers as early as next month.
Some sources said the troop cut was a result of reduced funding exacerbated by the relief operations in the wake of Cyclone Yasi and the Queensland floods.
Under the reported plans Australia would withdraw troops from eight of 11 bases in the network of valleys dissecting Oruzgan and hand them over to the Afghan National Army.
The Afghanistan war has become increasing unpopular as the death and injury toll has increased, and the Defence plan could drive a wedge between Australia and its US allies, Fairfax reported.