“From the military point of view, to ensure the operation of aircraft we need about 1,200 military personnel,” Inspector General of the Bundeswehr (unified armed forces of Germany), Volker Wieker, told media in an interview.
Wieker said that the mandate for the deployment may be given by the end of the year. On Tuesday, the Bundestag will begin discussions about the matter.
The deployment of German forces could “occur very rapidly after mandating,” Wieker said. If approved the mission might become the largest foreign deployment of the Bundeswehr.
“From a military standpoint ISIS is currently the region's biggest threat,” he said.
Berlin plans to commit four to six Tornado jets mainly to provide intelligence support, as well as a frigate to help protect France’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier stationed in the Mediterranean.
“What is needed is information on the ground in order to use these forces effectively. For this purpose our Tornadoes can contribute a great deal,” he said.
According to Wieker, Germany is currently looking to deploy their planes either in Turkey or Jordan.
The move to reinforce the US-led anti-ISIS coalition comes as Chancellor Angela Merkel promised on Wednesday to support France in their anti-terror fight following the November 13 attacks by ISIS militants in Paris that killed 130 people.
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