WASHINGTON: Afghanistan forces may faceb a shortage of more than 90,000 coats this winter, which could affect their ability to fight the Taliban, a US government watchdog said.

In a letter to the Pentagon dated September 16, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction John Sopko said the shortage could extend into next year.

The US-led Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, which is responsible for training Afghan forces, had ordered more than 75,000 coats for Afghan police for delivery by July this year, but they had yet to arrive, Sopko said in the letter.

Another 15,000 coats were not scheduled to be delivered until July 2016. “A lack of cold-weather clothing could adversely impact the overall effectiveness of the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police and degrade their operationalcapabilities,” he wrote.

In an emailed statement, a US official told Reuters that efforts were being made to bridge the shortage by providing Afghan forces with surplus US uniforms.