Extra UK troops for Afghanistan

UK forces in Afghanistan currently stand at around 9,000, which includes 700 troops deployed until the end of 2009 to cover the period of the Afghan presidential election.

The enduring deployment of 9,000 troops announced by Mr Brown in the House of Commons today means that extra units will be deploying to Afghanistan in the coming weeks with 11 Light Brigade.

These units will be announced to Parliament by Written Ministerial Statement tomorrow.

In the Prime Minister's statement today he said that the number of British troops in Afghanistan will increase to 9,500 subject to the following conditions:

• That a way forward is agreed across the international coalition on fairer burden-sharing
• That the Afghan National Army and Afghan Government provide sufficient numbers and quality of Afghan National Security Forces in Helmand, in order that they can operate alongside British forces there and be 'partnered' by them, and
• That every British soldier and unit deployed to Afghanistan is fully equipped for the operations they are asked to undertake.

Click here to read the Prime Minister's statement in full.

In a statement on the Prime Minister's announcement Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said:

"Our brave forces are making a vital contribution to the national security of this country and I praise them for all they are doing in Afghanistan.

"This force level increase, based on the specific advice of the military chiefs, will help consolidate the considerable progress already made improving security in central Helmand.

"The chiefs and I will continue to ensure that all of our Service personnel are fully equipped for the tasks we ask them to undertake.

"I have made sure that delivering success in Afghanistan and supporting our forces is the main effort of all of us in the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces. I am determined that we continue to deliver on this."

Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, said:

"I welcome the Prime Minister's announcement of an increase to our force level for the mission in Afghanistan, subject to the conditions he has set out. This accords with the needs of our operational commanders, as set out to me and agreed by the Chiefs of Staff, and with the military advice I have as a consequence given to the Government.

"Our objective, as part of the 42-nation coalition in Afghanistan, is to reduce the terrorist threat to the United Kingdom. We do this by assisting the Afghans to spread enduring governance to parts of their country that have in the past, and would in the future if abandoned, harbour and provide support to terrorist groups.

"The force uplift announced today will help us to strengthen and deepen security in those areas where we are supporting the development of that governance. At the same time, it will enable us to partner effectively with an increasing number of Afghan National Army units, thus enabling them to take responsibility for their own security at a faster rate.

"We will also continue to provide more and better equipment to our forces as fast as it can be developed and produced. This is an ongoing process, throughout which our commanders in the field will continue to shape their individual operations to ensure that their people are appropriately equipped for the specific tasks being undertaken.

"The increase in force level will provide 11 Light Brigade with the resources they need to sustain and build upon the magnificent, hard-won achievements of 19 Light Brigade over the summer - achievements of which the entire nation can and should be proud."

Chief of the General Staff, General Sir David Richards, said:

"This is the right decision and it reflects the military advice the Prime Minister has received since the summer. We asked for 9,500 and that is what we have got. Having sufficient troops on the ground is the key to this campaign; the additional numbers will enable 11 Brigade to maintain momentum in Helmand, building on the outstanding work of 19 Light Brigade this summer, and will allow us to integrate more closely with the Afghan National Army and improve their capability - essential steps on the road to success.

"I'm confident that the Prime Minister's conditions can be met and we will now get on with the military planning to ensure that soldiers in Afghanistan have the appropriate equipment for the tasks we ask them to undertake.

"I'm also certain that our allies will sustain their commitment to a mission that is as crucial to their security as it is to the people of Afghanistan. We cannot afford to fail and increasing the UK's commitment is the right thing to do."