Aussies and Afstan: In for long haul but no troop increase...

...only for now one hopes, especially with the Dutch scheduled to leave Uruzgan province (Dutch lead, Regional Command South, Aussies there helping) in 2010:

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown says he is happy with Australia's contribution to the war effort in Afghanistan and its decision not to boost troop numbers.

Mr Brown said he was not disappointed by Australia's decision despite the new NATO leader in Afghanistan this week calling for allied countries to send 15,000 more soldiers.

The Defence Department says Australia has around 1,000 troops currently in Afghanistan, including special forces, a reconstruction task force, and artillery gunners.

Mr Brown's comments came after the death of another British soldier in Afghanistan - the 118th British national killed there since 2001.

The soldier from the Royal Logistic Corps was killed by an explosion while on patrol in Helmand province.

More on the Aussies in the second part of this post. Note especially fm's comment.