Deputy chief of staff Ilker Basbug told reporters that the helicopters would be sent to Kabul once technical talks on the issue were completed.

The Netherlands has promised five helicopters, while Germany has pledged another three, he added.

During a visit to Ankara in October, former NATO chief George Robertson asked Turkey to also contribute troops and civilan professionals for reconstruction operations in Afghanistan.

Turkey led the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan between July 2002 and February 2003. A small unit of Turkish soldiers remain in the country.

NATO, in its first misssion outside Europe, took command last August of ISAF, which was set up in December 2001 following the defeat of the hardline Taliban regime.

Its members have agreed to expand the force beyond the capital Kabul.

WAR.WIRE