Diggers wounded in Afghanistan blast

The soldiers' Bushmaster vehicle hit an IED yesterday. (Australian Defence Force: Captain Al Green)

Two Australian soldiers in Afghanistan have been wounded when the vehicle they were travelling in struck a large road-side bomb.

The soldiers' injuries are not life threatening and they are continuing to receive medical treatment in the Dutch military hospital at Tarin Kowt.

The soldiers from the Townsville-based 3rd Brigade, were travelling in an armoured Bushmaster vehicle when it struck the improvised explosive device (IED) at about 10am (local time) yesterday.

Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Mark Evans, says the wounded soldiers were quickly evacuated by helicopter.

"The helicopter aero-medical evacuation was completed in under one hour and the soldiers are receiving excellent medical care in coalition facilities in Tarin Kowt and Kandahar," Lieutenant General Evans said.

"I have received reports from their unit that the soldiers are in good spirits despite their injuries and both have spoken with their families.

"While this is the first incident of this type for the recently deployed battle-group, we have to acknowledge that the Taliban continue with their campaign to use indiscriminate attacks on coalition troops and civilians in an ongoing effort to destabilise the security situation in the region."

Lieutenant General Evans says while the Bushmaster was badly damaged in the explosion, the protection the vehicles provide for Australian and Afghan troops was not to be understated.

The soldiers' next of kin have been contacted. Defence says because operations are ongoing, no further details will be released.