Afghan army officer given Australian award

A female Afghan National Army officer has been awarded the prestigious Duntroon Sword of Honour.

Second Lieutenant Zahra Hussaini was presented with the award during a recent ceremony at Kabul's Afghan National Army Officer Academy.

The Duntroon Sword is given for best overall cadet.

Australians were among international mentors who helped the first ever platoon of female officer cadets receive their commissions through the academy.

The platoon of female officer cadets underwent a year of training modelled on successful programs like those run at Sandhurst in the UK and Australia's Royal Military College Duntroon, but adapted for local conditions.