Joint Operations Command

Press and Information Centre

German Contribution to the ISAF

On 20 December 2001, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1386 (2001) which authorised the establishment of an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) for Afghanistan under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

The objective of the ISAF mission, which has a six-month mandate ending on 20 June 2002, is to assist the Afghan authorities in maintaining security in the area of operations (Kabul and its surrounding areas).

The United Kingdom has taken on the leadership of the ISAF for a period of approximately 3 months or until 30 April 2002 at the latest. As lead nation, it has made the necessary arrangements with the Interim Authority in Afghanistan and the troop-contributing nations.

On 22 December 2001, the German parliament approved the participation of the Bundeswehr in the ISAF. A maximum of 1200 German soldiers will be deployed.
Germany is building up a mission contingent in which Danish, Dutch and Austrian contingents will be integrated.
The "German-Dutch-Austrian-Danish ISAF Mission Contingent" (ISAF Mission Contingent) will have a total strength of approximately 1050 soldiers. Germany will contribute around 770 soldiers, Austria around 30, Denmark around 40 and the Netherlands around 200.

In close co-ordination with the United Kingdom, the mission contingent will be deployed at staggered intervals to the area of operations as quickly as possible by strategic air transport. Chartered civilian large-capacity transport aircraft and aircraft of the Royal Dutch and German Air Forces will be used for this purpose.

Advance Forces in Kabul

The advance forces were deployed from 8 to 18 January 2002.

Under the command of Brigadegeneral Carl Hubertus von Butler, they have been charged with establishing command and control capability, mobility, operational readiness, medical support and the readiness to receive the main force. In addition, they are to conduct initial patrols.

As lead nation, the United Kingdom has divided the city of Kabul into sectors for which the British mission contingent and its counterpart under German command are responsible. The French contingent is in charge of securing the Kabul International Airport.