Germany to send first Tornados to back anti-Islamic State mission

Berlin: Germany will Thursday deploy two Tornado reconnaissance jets and 40 troops to Turkey to back the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria, the military said.

The personnel of 51st squadron Immelmann will leave the Jagel base in northern Germany on an A400M, followed by two of six Tornados Germany has pledged.

An A310 MRT aerial refuelling jet will also be deployed Thursday from Cologne-Wahn base to the Incirlik airbase in Turkey, the military said Tuesday.

German lawmakers last Friday authorised the deployment of up to 1,200 personnel and the aircraft to join international military operations against the IS, in support of France after the November 13 Paris attacks.

The six Tornados are fitted with surveillance technology that can take photos and infrared images, even at night and in bad weather, and transmit them in real time to ground stations.

Berlin also said it would send a frigate to help guard the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the eastern Mediterranean.

Germany does not plan bombing runs, unlike France, the United States and Britain.

Post-war Germany has been traditionally reluctant to send troops into active combat abroad, although it has joined international missions in the Balkans and elsewhere, and the NATO coalition in Afghanistan.