The German cabinet has agreed to contribute up to 1,200 troops to the international peacekeeping force in Afghanistan.
Parliament will debate the proposal in an emergency session tomorrow.
German Defence Minister Mr Rudolf Scharping said the cabinet had agreed the planned deployment after the UN had set a robust mandate, which allows the use of force.
The UN Security Council has authorised a multinational force to keep the peace in Kabul for six months, with Britain initially leading the troops and the United States prepared to mobilise in an emergency.
Britain has said it is only willing to lead for the first three months, but Mr Scharping said Germany would not be in a position to take over command.
Germany will provide a detachment of 1,450 soldiers with the Netherlands and Denmark, Mr Scharping said. He could not say when the German troops would be ready to go.