London  - Prime Minister Gordon Brown Friday delivered a robust defence of his government's military involvement in Afghanistan amid growing criticism of the British death toll in the conflict.

In a keynote speech at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Brown said he did not take people's concern over the casualties lightly.

"Each time I have to ask myself if we can justify sending our young men and women to fight for this cause. And my answer has always been yes," he said.

The stability of the volatile region, spanning the Afghan-Pakistan border, had a profound impact on the security of Britain and the rest of the international community.

"We cannot just walk away," said Brown. The objectives in the conflict were "clear, justified, realistic and achievable."

Brown announced that his government would provide an extra 20 million pounds (32 million dollars) to help stabilization and security in Helmand province, where British troops are based.

A total of 212 British soldiers have died since the conflict began in 2001.  dpa