Australia considers enlarging its defence force

The Australian government is to consider boosting its defence force numbers, with Defence Minister Brendan Nelson indicating more soldiers will be sent to Afghanistan and possibly Lebanon.

Dr Nelson says he will be telling Prime Minister John Howard and his cabinet colleagues that it is time to enlarge the Australian Defence Force.

"There is an argument for us to consider the size of our defence force and, as I say, over the next few months we'll be giving active consideration to it," he said.

Radio Australia reporter Samantha Hawley says the minister will also be arguing for an additional 120 troops to be sent to Afghanistan on top of the 240 about to be deployed there to help with reconstruction efforts.

"The risks in Afghanistan have been increasing substantially over the last few months," Dr Nelson said.

"I have been watching it very closely. I am very concerned about it."

Dr Nelson says Australia will also commit troops if an international stabilisation force is sent to Lebanon, but he says that remains hypothetical.