Washington, May 23 : US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has said his country needs a strong military not only to win the war in Afghanistan, but also to `protect trade routes and energy supplies' and stop `would-be adversaries from making the kind of miscalculations' that often lead to war.

"All of these things happen mostly out of sight and out of mind to the average American, and thus are taken for granted. But they all depend on a properly armed, trained and funded US military, which cannot be taken for granted," The Daily Times quoted Gates, as saying.

Talking of Washington's fiscal troubles, he warned that the country cannot afford to shirk its global responsibilities or cut down its armed forces.

"As we make the tough choices needed to put this country's finances in order and to secure our future prosperity - including the sacrifices that will be required of all Americans - there will undoubtedly be calls to shrink America's role in the world - for us to sharply reduce our international commitments and the size and capabilities of our military," Gates added. (ANI)