Australia joins war on terror

Australia is sending more troops than originally planned

Australia is to send troops and military hardware to join the US-led operation in Afghanistan.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said he would be sending 1,550 personnel - a larger number than originally planned.

Our forces will be overseas fighting in our name within a very short period of time

John Howard, Australian Prime Minister

The force will be fully deployed by mid-November.

The announcement comes during campaigning for the 10 November election, in which Mr Howard is hoping to win a third term in office.

Mr Howard told reporters: "This marks of course a significant further stage in the involvement of Australian military personnel and the Australian people in this war against terrorism."

He said he was responding to a request from US President George Bush.

Risk of casualties

Mr Howard admitted there were risks involved, saying: "Whenever you go into battle there is always the risk of casualties. In those circumstances the possibility of deaths, the possibility of casualties is quite high."

The prime minister said the first troops and equipment could leave for the Persian Gulf in the next two weeks.

Australia's contribution

150 Special Air Services troops

Two B707 tanker refuelling aircraft

Two P3 long-range maritime planes

Two navy frigates

One amphibious command ship

"Our forces will be overseas fighting in our name within a very short period of time," he said.

Earlier, the White House thanked Mr Howard for his support for America's anti-terror operation.

Mr Bush's spokesman Ari Fleischer said: "The president told the prime minister that he appreciated Australia's commitment to help the coalition in the campaign against terrorism."

Two weeks ago, Mr Howard announced Australia would commit 1,000 military personnel to the fight against terrorism.

The new announcement was backed by opposition Labor leader, Kim Beazley, who is running for prime minister in the election.

"The commitment of Australian forces goes with our full support," he told reporters.