LONDON, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- British Defense Secretary Des Brown confirmed on Monday that the country is to send an additional 1,300 troops to south Afghanistan.

    The extra troops will include an infantry battalion from the Royal Welsh Regiment and a detachment of Warrior armored cars from the 1st Battalion, The Scots Guards, Sky news reported on Monday afternoon.

    More artillery and aircraft will also be deployed with the additional troops.

    The new deployment starting from May will bright the total of British forces in Afghanistan to 7,700.

    The additional deployment will bring the total of British soldiers in the country to around 7,700, with the extra soldiers deployed to southern Afghanistan to fight Taliban.

    "Our mission in Afghanistan faces serious challenges and the country faces serious problems," said the Defense Secretary, adding only Britain and "a small number of allies are prepared to step forward."

    The news surfaced shortly after Prime Minister Tony Blair disclosed that British troops in Iraq were being reduced by 1,600.