According to the German government, the 20-year deployment of German soldiers and development workers in Afghanistan cost more than 17.3 billion euros. By far the largest position was made up of the military. “For the participation of the German armed forces in the operations International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and the Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in Afghanistan were by the division of the Federal Ministry of Defense from 2001 to August 31, 2021 in total around 12.3 billion euros in additional expenditures due to deployment “, it says in a response of the federal government to a small inquiry of the FDP parliamentary group. The answer is available from the German Press Agency.
The Foreign Office therefore spent around 2.48 billion euros on so-called project-related personnel and material costs. This sum does not include personnel and operating costs of the Foreign Office, as they arise anyway in regular diplomatic operations. The Ministry of Development provided around 2.46 billion euros in Afghanistan within 20 years. The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture spent 33 million euros in two decades.
Information on the expenditure of the Federal Intelligence Service (BND) in Afghanistan was classified as secret. “A disclosure of the relevant information would seriously impair the fulfillment of the tasks of the Federal Intelligence Service, which in turn could endanger the security of the Federal Republic of Germany or cause serious damage to its interests,” said the Federal Government. With reference to this, the federal government also classifies as classified information which infrastructure built with German money is now being used by the Taliban.
The Ministry of Defense wants to begin on Wednesday with an assessment of the largely unsuccessful operation. The schedule for this is adhered to even after criticism from the Bundestag, as a spokesman for the ministry had made clear on Monday in Berlin. He also referred to an appraisal of the operation planned for October 13, which the soldiers owe. This also applies to an assessment of the commitment by the highest superiors. “And we have to talk openly about what was good, what was not good and what we have learned,” he said.
Defense politicians from several factions want to stay away from the kick-off event planned on Wednesday – combined with criticism of the time chosen for this shortly after the federal election. These include representatives of the Union, the SPD, the FDP and the Greens.