Acting Serjeant Stuart McGrath, 28, from the Second Battalion The Rifles, died as a result of an explosion while on foot patrol in the Gereshk district, central Helmand province, on Wednesday.
Trooper Brett Hall, from Second Royal Tank Regiment, died of his wounds on the same day at the Royal College of Defence Medicine in Selly Oak.
The 21-year-old had been had been involved in a Combat Logistic Patrol in rural north-west Helmand province on Saturday when he was injured in an explosion.
Paying tribute to both soldiers, defence secretary Bob Ainsworth said: 'It was with great sadness that I learnt of the deaths of Acting Serjeant Stuart McGrath and Trooper Brett Hall.
'It is clear that both men had carved out excellent reputations in their regiments, and were considered to have even brighter futures ahead of them. My thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues who must be feeling a great sense of loss at this time.'
Acting Serjeant McGrath's wife, Emma, also paid tribute to her husband, saying: 'Stuart was a loving husband, amazing father, son, brother cousin and a friend to many.
'We are all so very proud of him and what he achieved. He died doing a job he loved. He is our hero and we will never forget him.'
Trooper Hall's commanding officer, Lt Col Marcus Simson, said his death had left 'an indescribable hole in our hearts'; adding: 'It is only some consolation that he died whilst surrounded by his family.
'He was loved by all who knew him as a happy, hard-working young man who was full of fun, was desperately proud of his squadron and their achievements in Afghanistan, and who cared deeply about his mates.
'We are proud to have known him and to have served alongside him.'
A total of 216 UK service personnel have died in Afghanistan since operations began in 2001.
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