Afghan President Hamid Karzai has told a conference of the world's top defence officials in Germany that he is considering introducing conscription.
The Afghan president said at the summit in Munich he wants to build an army and police force of 300,000 by 2012.
His comments come as US-led forces are poised to launch a major offensive in Helmand province against the Taliban.
The Nato commander, General Stanley McChrystal, said the operation would "send a strong signal".
Mr Karzai told the Munich conference that a number of Afghan community leaders had urged him to consider conscription.
Three Afghan policemen died when their vehicle hit a bomb near Kandahar
"Afghanistan should be able to provide security for its people, so we are no longer a burden on the shoulders of the international community and the partners that are there with us today," he said.
The idea of reintroducing a military draft - which was used in Afghanistan until 1992 - has been suggested before.
Afghan Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak said last week there was no need for conscription as the army had no lack of recruits.
'Prepare for casualties'
The Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen McChrystal, promised a major offensive about to begin in central Helmand would send a "strong signal that the Afghan government is expanding its security control".
MARJA IN THE CROSSHAIRS
Town and district about 40km (25 miles) south-west of Lashkar Gah
Lies in Helmand's 'Green Zone' - an irrigated area of lush vegetation and farmland
Last remaining major Taliban stronghold in southern Helmand
Area considered a centre for assembling roadside bombs
Key supply centre for opium poppies - lucrative revenue source for Taliban
Estimates of Taliban numbers range up to 1,000
Population of Marja town put at 80,000 while the whole of Marja district is thought to have 125,000
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.