Afghanistan's own defense force build-up

While US President Barack Obama unveiled Washington's new war strategy last week, Afghanistan's own defense force has been quietly planning its own troop build-up to break the Taliban's grip on swathes of the nation.

The Afghan Defence Minister, General Abdul Rahim Wardak says the need for a strong Afghan security force is more pressing, especially in the long-term, following Obama's plan.

Initially, the size of the Afghan army was scheduled to swell from 85-thousand to 134-thousand by 2013. That target is now expected to be reached earlier - by October 31, 2011.

Nearly 44 additional companies of Afghan soldiers are being added to battalions in the south and east of the country.

The success of the new US war plan is linked to Afghanistan's ability to recruit, train and retain its own security forces who can eventually defend the nation themselves.