British Prime Minister David Cameron is visiting Afghanistan on an unannounced trip and is scheduled to meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai today. Mr. Cameron who landed at British military base in southern Helmand province last evening, said that troops could start withdrawing from the country as early as next year. Addressing his troops, he said that progress is being made to improve security. He also said the new Afghan National Army and police forces are being trained ahead of schedule and the British troops are now better equipped. The British Prime minister said they are not aiming for a perfect Swiss-style democracy in the Hindu Kush. He said they are rather aiming for an Afghanistan that has a basic level of stability and security, and a growing economy, so that people can share in its prosperity. He shrugged off U.S. and Afghan criticism of British troops' performance, saying it no longer held true. US diplomats said in cables released by WikiLeaks last week that British troops in Helmand were not up to the task of securing the province. Britain has the second largest contingent of around 9 thousand troops in the NATO-led coalition.AIR correspondent Santosh Kumar reports from Kabul that British PM visit is primarily meant to greet his soldiers before Christmas celebrations but he used the occasion to signal that British troops may start leaving Afghanistan from next year. Chief of British armed forces General David Richards accompanying the PM, said he has seen great progress made in Helmand since his last visit three months ago. A poll carried out by media agencies revealed that conditions in southern province have improved since the arrival of extra US soldiers there. British PM sought to play down the past criticism by Afghan and US officials on performance of British soldiers and announced for new equipments to better tackle the Taliban-led militancy.