Apart from a small security group still in Iraq, most of the 150-strong squadron of Special Air Service (SAS) troops are preparing their equipment in Kuwait for the long haul back to Australia.

Hill, who has just returned from Iraq and other Gulf nations, said the SAS troops believed their equipment had performed even better than the gear issued to the well-resourced US special forces.

"American special forces speaking to Australian special forces with envy about some of our equipment I think was unexpected," Hill said.

In particular, the purpose-built patrol vehicles had outperformed the ubiquitous US Humvee patrol vehicles, while other equipment had also stood up well in combat, he said.

As a result of the lessons learned in Iraq, the entire army would now be equipped with the Javelin anti-tank missile, bought for the SAS in the lead-up to the Afghan war.

The shoulder-launched "fire-and-forget" missile, which can also be mounted on vehicles, proved devastating against Iraqi armour, as well as bunkers and buildings.

Prime Minister John Howard, who is currently in London, will fly to Doha on Thursday to thank Australian troops for their contribution to the war in Iraq, his office said Tuesday.

Howard, who has been in the United States as a guest of President George W. Bush, is now in London where he is due to meet British Prime Minister Tony Blair later Tuesday and the Queen on Wednesday.

On Thursday he will become the first head of a government which was part of the US-led "coalition of the willing" to visit military sites in the area.

SPACE.WIRE