Britain reportedly considering 'doubling number of troops in Afghanistan' following pressure from Donald Trump

The Government is reportedly considering nearly doubling the number of British troops in Afghanistan following pressure from Donald Trump.

According to reports, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has written to the Prime Minister recommending the increase, which could see 400-450 soldiers sent to the country to join around 600 already deployed in non-combat roles, although no decision has yet been made.

The move reportedly follows pressure from Donald Trump, while Nato has also apparently asked Britain to send more troops to the country.

The US has increased its presence in Afghanistan since Mr Trump unveiled his South Asia strategy in August last year, adding around 4,000 troops to the 8,400-strong US deployment in the country to bolster the Kabul government, train Afghan forces and fight militant groups.

On Thursday, US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had “reinforced our enduring investment in Afghanistan” in a conversation with the country’s president Ashraf Ghani.

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The UK’s combat operations ended in 2014 and remaining personnel are limited to training Afghan forces.

It had been thought unlikely that the UK would increase its presence in the country.

Mr Trump has repeatedly called for Nato members to meet their defence spending commitment of 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) and has threatened to walk away from the organisation if his demands are not met.

Mrs May will join the US president at a summit of Nato leaders in Brussels in July.

During a meeting with Mr Trump in Washington on Thursday, Nato general secretary Jens Stoltenberg said all members have increased their spending, in part due to Mr Trump’s approach.

Earlier UK Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood suggested that the UK should spend as much on defence as it does on the NHS, which is currently around 9.8%. The US spends around 3.5%.

He told the Daily Telegraph: “The Government often does what people call for. If people call for more money for schools and hospitals, that is often where the money then flows. It is important we raise the profile of the dangers of reducing our defence posture. Once you lose it, you will never get it back.”