Britain is sending 3300 new troops to Afghanistan, taking its troop-strength to 5700 in the war-ravaged country as part of a Nato expansion plan.

The new troops include a "Provincial Reconstruction Team" for Helmand province in the south and for fighting the drug trade.

More than 1000 troops will be sent to the Kabul headquarters of the Allied Rapid Reaction Force, whose command Britain assumes from May until February 2007.

Troop numbers will fluctuate over three years and will not affect Britain's deployment in southern Iraq, British official said.

PHOTO CAPTION

A British soldier from the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (L) takes position during a patrol on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan January 26, 2006. (REUTERS)