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UK army presence in Afghanistan to swell to 8,000

16/06/2008

The UK military presence in Afghanistan is increasing to more than 8,000 after 630 new posts were created.

Defence secretary Des Browne announced there would be a net rise in numbers of 230 after 400 other positions were closed.

Earlier, Gordon Brown announced the number of British troops in Afghanistan was to be increased to its "highest level".

Speaking with George Bush by his side after formal talks at Downing Street, the prime minister confirmed troop numbers would rise this year.

The UK military presence in Afghanistan is now double that of in Iraq.

The bulk of the 630 new posts is made up of engineers and logistical staff and will be in place by spring next year, Mr Browne told MPs.

"Broadly these adjustments have three aims: firstly to improve the level of protection afforded to our personnel," the minister said.

"Secondly to increase the capacity of our forces to deliver training and mentoring to the Afghan national security forces.

"And thirdly to increase the capacity of our forces to deliver the civil effects of reconstruction and development in an insecure or semi-secure environment. All of these aims are vital if we are to sustain the progress that we are making."

The news follows a spate of deaths in the campaign, which ministers are increasingly treating as more important than Iraq.