Extra 1,400 UK troops to be sent to Afghanistan

Substantial British reinforcements are being sent to Afghanistan, consisting of 1,400 more troops, heavy armour and rockets and additional ground-attack aircraft and helicopters.

Des Browne, the Defence Secretary, told the Commons that the extra troops and firepower were needed to support the British force already in Helmand province in the south.

Despite the heavily trailed decision to send more troops, the additional firepower being sent with the extra 1,400 troops came as a surprise and underlined the concerns expressed by military commanders in Afghanistan that they did not have the equipment needed to take on the Taleban if they mount, as expected, a spring offensive.

The list of extra equipment includes Warrior armoured infantry fighting vehicles and multiple-launch rocket systems, both being deployed to Afghanistan for the first time, as well as four more Harrier GR9s, to be used as bombers in a close-air support role for ground troops, and four additional Sea King helicopters. An extra C130 Hercules transport aircraft is also being sent.

The extra battle group announced by Mr Browne will increase the size of Britain’s military presence in Afghanistan to 7,700. This force level will be maintained, under present planning assumptions, until 2009.