US President Barack Obama said on Monday that he wouldn't rush to make a decision on whether to send more American troops to Afghanistan.

"I will never rush the solemn decision of sending you into harm's way. I won't risk your lives unless it's absolutely necessary," said the president while delivering a speech at a Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida.

"This is very important as we consider our next steps in Afghanistan," he stressed.

Stating that he "will never hesitate to use force to protect the American people or our vital interests," Obama pledged that even if it is necessary to send the US troops into war, "we will back you up to the hill."

The US troops "deserve the strategy, the clear mission, the defined goals and all of the equipment and support you need to get the job done," said the US commander-in-chief, adding that "we are not going to have a situation in which you are not fully supported back here at home."

Obama's remarks came as his administration faces mounting pressure to decide on whether to further increase the number of American troops in Afghanistan following an eight-year war.

The boost of troops was eagerly requested by the field generals, but remained highly controversial among both politicians and the general public.