David Cameron tells British troops: you've paid a heavy price in Afghanistan We have paid a very heavy price but I think the reason for coming here in the first place, which was to stop Afghanistan becoming a haven for terror ... I think it was the right decision. The Prime Minister disclosed that he was seeing fewer terrorist threats crossing his desk from the region than in previous years. "Far fewer come from this part of the world than was the case when we first came to Afghanistan," he said. The Afghan forces were doing "better than expected," he said, enabling British troops to come home. This is withdrawal, this is draw-down based on success, not on failure. We are confident it can be done while making sure Afghanistan does not return to become a haven of terrorism, which is why we came here in the first place. Brigadier Bob Bruce, Commander of Taskforce Helmand, who is in charge of almost 6,000 British soldiers, said the Afghan security forces were increasingly effective. "The insurgency is still there, but it doesn't dictate things," he added. Downing Street on Thursday announced £230 million for projects including upgrading equipment to detect and neutralise Taliban roadside bombs, which have claimed hundreds of lives. During his visit, Mr Cameron ate with marines, and then joined them for their carol service, on a freezing night under the stars at Camp Price. At times the 200 or so troops who had gathered outside for the service struggled to make their voices heard above the clatter of helicopters taking off and landing in the dark nearby. The marines of 40 Commando have hoisted a Christmas tree onto the roof of their bar, decorating it with lights. The Prime Minister's journey was nearly thwarted by freezing fog at Camp Bastion. Eventually, he was taken by a Chinook helicopter, which sped low across the desert to Camp Price.