"US soldiers are good at combat but they are ill prepared for 'nation-building' missions and by that I mean setting up democratic and economic structures," Struck is quoted as saying in the Welt am Sonntag.

He said the German army on the other hand was trained for such operations as proven in such countries as Afghanistan.

"Our soldiers who go to Kabul are aware of the country's mentality and history," Struck said. "They know the differences between the various ethnic groups."

Some 1,600 German soldiers are currently stationed in Afghanistan as part of an international peace force.

Speaking about Germany's soured relations with the United States because of its opposition to the US-led invasion of Iraq, Struck said he felt ties between both countries were improving.

WAR.WIRE