Australia's troop commitment to Afghanistan will increase from 1,100 to 1,550, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced on Wednesday.
"We must not allow Afghanistan to once again become the unimpeded training ground and operating base for global terrorist activity," Rudd told reporters.
According to Rudd, coalition forces have not been winning the war in Afghanistan and security was deteriorating.
"Australia concurs with the United States that the current civilian and military strategy is not working," Rudd said.
Australia's force in Oruzgan did not have sufficient training elements to build Afghanistan's military and police capacity within a reasonable timeframe in which to base an exit strategy.
"The Australian government has no interest in Australian forces being in Afghanistan for a day longer than is necessary," Rudd said.
Rudd said the increased commitment would boost the number of Australian soldiers in Afghanistan from 1,100 to 1,550, and it may result in the deaths of more soldiers.
"I am acutely conscious of the fact that I am placing more Australians in harm's way," Rudd said.
Rudd said Australia's commitment was discussed with U.S. President Barack Obama last week following extensive deliberations by the National Security Committee of federal cabinet.
The extra troops will be used to train the Afghan National Army and provide security for elections scheduled for August.
The United States had boosted its forces by 21,000 from 38,000 to nearly 60,000 and requested additional forces from its allies.
The UK, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Turkey are among those nations that have also agreed to send more troops to Afghanistan.
(Xinhua News Agency April 29, 2009)
