Afghanistan says it will need roughly $5 billion a year to maintain security after coalition combat troops leave by the end of 2014, but that the exact cost will depend on the level of violence following the withdrawal.

Afghan Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak told journalists in Kabul that while Afghan security forces are capable of defending themselves against the Taliban and other insurgents, more advanced weaponry — such as fighter jets — were needed to defend against “foreign threats.” He did not elaborate.

In July, the coalition began a gradual process of handing over full security responsibility to Afghanistan's army and police.

Afghan defense officials also said that Afghan and NATO troops were in the middle of a new push against al-Qaida and the Haqqani militant group along the border with Pakistan.

U.S. officials have long maintained the al-Qaida-linked Haqqani militant group attacks targets in Afghanistan from sanctuaries in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region.

Last month, senior U.S. officials accused Pakistan's military spy agency of helping the Haqqani network launch attacks in Afghanistan, including an assault on the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Pakistan has denied the allegations, which came during heightened tensions between Pakistan and the United States.