Australian Prime Minister John Howard announced Tuesday that his country plans to nearly double its troop level in Afghanistan.

The Australian Defence Force will add 400 troops -- including an elite 300 soldier task force -- to its current contingent of 550 by mid-2007.

"Afghanistan faces a crucial phase as international and Afghan national security forces work to consolidate the gains made since the overthrow of the Taliban regime," said Howard.

The elite task force was pulled out of Afghanistan last September but will return to help hunt Taliban commanders.

"Their role will be to enhance provincial security by disrupting Taliban command and control supply routes and they will directly support the Australian reconstruction task force," said Howard.

In addition to the task force, Australia will also send air force radar crews and logistics and intelligence officers.

Another 50 troops will then be added in 2008, raising the total to 1000. The soldiers will serve in Afghanistan's Oruzgan province.

Howard said Australia could send more troops if a need arises.

"If terrorism acquires a safe haven again in Afghanistan that will be of direct consequence to this country and to other countries in the region," he said.

"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."

With files from The Associated Press