In two years, the cost of Denmark's participation in the war in Afghanistan has grown from DKK 353 million to more than DKK one billion, writes daily newspaper Politiken.

Foto: Søren Bidstrup © Scanpix

Skrevet af: Ritzau / Julie Troldborg

War in Afghanistan costs more than expected

08. feb. 2010 11.09 English

Danish soldiers aren't the only ones to pay for the war in Afghanistan.

In two years, the cost of Denmark's participation in the war has grown from DKK 353 million to more than DKK one billion, writes daily newspaper Politiken.

According to sources in key positions, the cost is going to get even higher - it will increase by as much as DKK 500 million in 2010 alone.

Severe budget cuts necessary
Therefore, Chief of Defence General Knud Bartels has given notice of severe budget cuts.

Among the proposed cost-cutting measures is the sale or scrapping of six brand new EH 101 helicopters, which according to the June defence agreement were intended for service in Afghanistan a year from now.

The increase in expenses in Afghanistan is primarily due to an enormous consumption of ammunition, and to large unforeseen expenses for prepping and transportation of military vehicles to replace those destroyed by the Taliban, or by the desert sand. On top of that comes increases in salary costs.

Translated by Martin Lamberth