KABUL — British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on Saturday promised British troops 200 new patrol vehicles that can resist roadside bombs more effectively during an unannounced visitto southern Afghanistan.

Brown made the trip to Camp Bastion in southern Helmand province to thank some of the 4,000 British soldiers who are involved in a 3-week-old NATO offensive to wrest control of the Taliban haven of Marjah from the insurgents.

"We will do everything we can to support you with the equipment necessary and the resources you need," he told troops, according to the British Press Association.

Brown's remarks focused on the battle against improvised explosive devices and the need to bolster training of the Afghan police force.

British officials will be announcing a $151 million investment in new British-built vehicles to replace Snatch Land Rovers, blamed by troops for many of the deaths caused by roadside bombs.

The new vehicles, which should arrive in Afghanistan by late 2011, have better armor and more maneuverability.