AN Australian soldier has died in a firefight with 20 Taliban in Afghanistan, as military commanders prepare for months of heavier fighting ahead.

Personal details of the fallen soldier, the ninth Digger to die in Afghanistan, have not been released at his family's request.

Defence force chief Angus Houston said the Digger died in a "very intense" firefight while on foot patrol near Kakarak, a village 12km north of the Australian base at Tarin Kowt in Oruzgan province.

Intelligence assessments suggest coalition forces should expect tougher fighting with insurgents as the Afghan winter gives way to the usual spring and summer offensive from the Taliban, The Australian reported.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is due to discuss progress in Afghanistan with US President Barack Obama in Washington next week. 

Mr Rudd told Parliament the fallen Digger was a "fine and courageous soldier in the great Anzac tradition".

"We are forever in the debt of this brave soldier who has given his life. The whole nation mourns his death. His sacrifice will not be forgotten," he said.

 Australia is expected to be asked to provide additional military assistance in the country.

One option before the government is to offer an addtional army training team to help train the Afghan National Army (ANA).

Firefight

Air Chief Marshal Houston said soldiers from a mentoring and reconstruction taskforce on patrol with ANA troops were attacked and the Australians returned fire.

"Initial reports indicate they were engaged by a group of around 20 Taliban insurgents who were using small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades," Air Chief Marshal Houston said.

"The patrol returned fire and, sadly, an Australian soldier was killed as a consequence of this engagement." 

The soldier was evacuated to a field hospital in Tarin Kowt after being shot, but was declared dead on arrival.

"On behalf of our nation and the Australian Defence Force, I convey our deepest sympathies to his loved ones," Air Chief Marshal Houston said.  "(He) was a fine, professional, courageous soldier." 

He said the Australian soldiers called in reinforcement and Apache helicopter support after coming under attack.  No other Australian soldier was wounded in the incident.

"We gave a good account of ourselves," he said.  "If you are up against 20 people who are well armed and engaging you with rocket-propelled grenades and smallarms, there is going to be considerable risk associated with what you are doing."

He said the warmer weather would likely bring on an upsurge in fighting.  "That is the pattern we have seen over the last few years and we are probably seeing more Taliban activity now than we did through the middle of the winter."

The Defence force would conduct an inquiry into the soldier's death, Air Chief Marshal Houston said.  Australia has about 1100 troops operating in Oruzgan in the country's south-central region.

There was no higher calling than to wear the uniform of Australia, Mr Rudd said.

"Those who chose to wear that uniform served to protect and defend our nation, some on foreign soil in some of the harshest environments on earth," he said.
 
Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull said the nation was reminded frequently of the dangers faced every day by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.

"As a nation we are immensely proud of the men and women of the Australian Defence Force for their service and their sacrifice," he said.

"In Afghanistan they are fighting in defence of our values of liberty and democracy, wearing our uniform, serving under our flag against he world's most dangerous and treacherous enemy."