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Extra UK troops for Afghanistan Extra UK troops for Afghanistan
(21 minutes later)
British troop numbers in Afghanistan will increase to a new high of more than 8,000 by next spring, Defence Secretary Des Browne has told MPs.British troop numbers in Afghanistan will increase to a new high of more than 8,000 by next spring, Defence Secretary Des Browne has told MPs.
He said that 630 new posts were being created but, with 400 administrative and support posts to be closed, the net increase in personnel would be 230.He said that 630 new posts were being created but, with 400 administrative and support posts to be closed, the net increase in personnel would be 230.
They will improve protection for UK personnel, increase Afghan security training help reconstruction efforts.They will improve protection for UK personnel, increase Afghan security training help reconstruction efforts.
Mr Browne said security had improved but the Taleban had changed tactics.Mr Browne said security had improved but the Taleban had changed tactics.
The announcement raises overall numbers of UK troops from 7,800 - based in Kabul, Kandahar and Helmand - to 8,030.The announcement raises overall numbers of UK troops from 7,800 - based in Kabul, Kandahar and Helmand - to 8,030.
Terrorist tacticsTerrorist tactics
Earlier at a joint press conference with US President George Bush, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said it took troop numbers to their "highest level" - to keep up pressure on the Taleban.Earlier at a joint press conference with US President George Bush, Prime Minister Gordon Brown said it took troop numbers to their "highest level" - to keep up pressure on the Taleban.
Mr Browne said there had been an improved security situation, but the Taleban had switched from insurgency to terrorist tactics - including suicide bombers recruited from "vulnerable" communities.Mr Browne said there had been an improved security situation, but the Taleban had switched from insurgency to terrorist tactics - including suicide bombers recruited from "vulnerable" communities.
But he said, despite setbacks like the recent outbreak of Taleban fighters from a Kandahar prison: "Our view is that the Taleban are losing the fight in southern Afghanistan."But he said, despite setbacks like the recent outbreak of Taleban fighters from a Kandahar prison: "Our view is that the Taleban are losing the fight in southern Afghanistan."
We have resolved, first of all, as we did some years ago, that it is in the British national interest to confront the Taleban in Afghanistan or Afghanistan would come to us Gordon Brown Bush and Brown warn IranSketch: Watching Bush and Brown
He said, following a review, he had approved the closure of 400 posts from "the Afghan operational establishment table" which were no longer required because Taleban tactics had changed.He said, following a review, he had approved the closure of 400 posts from "the Afghan operational establishment table" which were no longer required because Taleban tactics had changed.
If Iran continues to ignore resolutions, to ignore our offers of partnership, we have no choice but to intensify sanctions Gordon Brown class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7456081.stm">Bush and Brown warn Iran class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7457174.stm">Sketch: Watching Bush and Brown Mr Browne said the new deployments included soldiers to man extra Viking and Mastiff vehicles, more specialists for reconnaissance and warning systems in Helmand and reinforcements at the Royal Air Force Regiment Squadron at Kandahar airbase.
He also said that the Harrier force was being withdrawn from the country - having first been deployed to Kandahar airfield in November 2004. He added that when 3 Commando Brigade was deployed in October it would have an additional infantry battalion headquarters and there would be an extra troop of Royal Engineers to assist with projects to support local communities.
Despite its impressive record, he said he was "very mindful of the strain" that the extended deployment had put upon the crews and their families and had decided to withdraw them by next spring and replace them with Tornado GR4s. 'Risk averse'
Mr Browne also said that the Harrier force was being withdrawn from the country - having first been deployed to Kandahar airfield in November 2004 as he was "very mindful of the strain" that the extended deployment had put upon the crews. They will be withdrawn by next spring and replace them with Tornado GR4s.
Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said the US, Britain, Canada, Holland and some other smaller forces were bearing the brunt of fighting in southern Afghanistan - and accused other NATO allies of being "risk averse".Shadow defence secretary Liam Fox said the US, Britain, Canada, Holland and some other smaller forces were bearing the brunt of fighting in southern Afghanistan - and accused other NATO allies of being "risk averse".
He also said progress had been slow in some areas - particularly on offering alternative source of income to those who grow poppies.He also said progress had been slow in some areas - particularly on offering alternative source of income to those who grow poppies.
The prime minister announces more troops will go to Afghanistan
He added: "Security has improved in some parts of the country as the secretary of state has just said, but it remains undermined in the south by the continued insurgency, the breakout of Taleban prisoners in Kandahar and the attitude of the Pakistani government about their approach to border issues."He added: "Security has improved in some parts of the country as the secretary of state has just said, but it remains undermined in the south by the continued insurgency, the breakout of Taleban prisoners in Kandahar and the attitude of the Pakistani government about their approach to border issues."
The number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001 reached 102 last week, when five soldiers from the Parachute Regiment were killed. For the Liberal Democrats, Nick Harvey said he welcomed the statement - particularly extra engineers posts to concentrate on the civilian reconstruction work and an increase in helicopter crew members.
But he said his biggest concern was the "state of British public opinion" which he was concerned did not understand what troops were doing in Afghanistan and how long it would take.
'National interest''National interest'
He said it was unfortunate the statement was made on the day of President Bush's visit - "I fear there is a confusion in the public mind between what we are doing in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"The biggest connection between the two is that of overstretch and the sooner the public can be persuaded to see these things quite separately the better our chances ... of getting the public on board for the long haul in Afghanistan."
Mr Browne said the timing had been determined "by the decisions that had been made".
The number of British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001 reached 102 last week, when five soldiers from the Parachute Regiment were killed.
Earlier Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute to their bravery. He said there would be a "reconfiguration" of troops as some left Afghanistan and others were sent there - but there would be an overall increase in numbers.Earlier Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute to their bravery. He said there would be a "reconfiguration" of troops as some left Afghanistan and others were sent there - but there would be an overall increase in numbers.
He said: "We have resolved, first of all, as we did some years ago, that it is in the British national interest to confront the Taleban in Afghanistan or Afghanistan would come to us. He said: "We have resolved, first of all, as we did some years ago, that it is in the British national interest to confront the Taleban in Afghanistan or Afghanistan would come to us."
"And so today Britain will announce additional troops for Afghanistan, bringing our numbers in Afghanistan to the highest level."
It is understood that extra specialist personnel, such as engineers and logistical staff, will be sent in the next few weeks.
But he said it was not a question of moving British troops from Iraq to Afghanistan as there was a job to do in both: "You can't trade numbers between the two countries."But he said it was not a question of moving British troops from Iraq to Afghanistan as there was a job to do in both: "You can't trade numbers between the two countries."
He said President Bush was "a true friend of Britain" and thanked him for "the importance he attaches to enhancing our transatlantic partnership from the work we do in Afghanistan and Iraq to every part of the world".He said President Bush was "a true friend of Britain" and thanked him for "the importance he attaches to enhancing our transatlantic partnership from the work we do in Afghanistan and Iraq to every part of the world".