The German cabinet has approved sending Patriot air-defense missiles to Turkey to guard against threats from Syria.
The December 6 decision follows this week's agreement at a NATO meeting to deploy the system following Ankara's request.
Germany is expected to send two missile batteries manned by 400 soldiers that would arrive in several weeks.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said the deployment was expected to be approved by a wide majority in the parliament.
NATO-member Turkey wants protection from rockets and planes from the Syrian side of the border as the uprising against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad grows more intense.
Syrian artillery shells have repeatedly landed inside Turkey.
The United States and Netherlands are also expected to provide Turkey with Patriot missile batteries.
The December 6 decision follows this week's agreement at a NATO meeting to deploy the system following Ankara's request.
Germany is expected to send two missile batteries manned by 400 soldiers that would arrive in several weeks.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said the deployment was expected to be approved by a wide majority in the parliament.
NATO-member Turkey wants protection from rockets and planes from the Syrian side of the border as the uprising against the rule of President Bashar al-Assad grows more intense.
Syrian artillery shells have repeatedly landed inside Turkey.
The United States and Netherlands are also expected to provide Turkey with Patriot missile batteries.
