KEY POINTS:
CANBERRA - Australia is to deploy a 300-member special forces task group back to Afghanistan to help counter the expected Taleban summer offensive, Prime Minister John Howard announced today.
Howard said they would be sent into Oruzgan Province in south-central Afghanistan where a smaller 200-member special forces task
group operated for a year up to September last year.
"Their role will be to enhance provincial security by disrupting Taleban command and control supply routes and they will directly support the Australian reconstruction task force," he said.
Howard said there had been extensive discussions between defence chief Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston and his counterparts in the Netherlands, the US and UK.
He said he had discussed the plan with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and US commanders during his recent visit to Afghanistan.
Howard warned the substantial increase in troop numbers could mean Australian casualties.
"I should make it clear that all of the intelligence advice suggests that there is a heightened security risk," he said.
"There is the distinct possibility of casualties and that should be understood and prepared for by the Australian public."
In addition to the special forces, Howard said the existing 120-strong protection company group would be extended.
"It will continue to provide close protection to the RTF (reconstruction taskforce) personnel until August of 2008," he said.
Australia will also send a radar protection surveillance group from the RAAF, made up of 75 personnel.
Howard said they would be going to Kandahar airfield.
"They will assume control of a portion of Afghan international airspace from the middle of this year," he said.
"Our expanded forces in Afghanistan will be supported by additional logistics and intelligence capabilities (including) the planned return of two Chinook helicopters in 2008 and sending an additional C-130J aircraft to the Middle East."
Howard said Australia's total military deployment to Afghanistan would reach 950 by mid-2007 and would peak at 1000 in the middle of next year.
Howard said the war would only be won with increased effort, despite the danger for Australian troops.
"It is difficult, it is dangerous work and that should not in any way be underestimated," Howard said.
"But there is a lot at stake if terrorism acquires a safe haven again in Afghanistan. That will be of direct consequence for this country and for countries in the region.
"And the need to deny opportunities of this kind for terrorists, not only in Afghanistan but also in Iraq, is fundamental to our national security strategy.
"We are not losing the war but we will not win it without renewed and increased effort and that is why we are playing our part."
Howard said other countries had increased their commitment, including Canada, which had suffered a number of casualties.
- AAP
