BERLIN, April 3 (UPI) -- Eight German reconnaissance jets are on their way to Afghanistan, amid legal and political controversy over the mission's aims.
Earlier this month the German Parliament endorsed government plans to send eight Panavia Tornado reconnaissance aircraft -- six in constant flying, with two backup planes -- and roughly 500 additional soldiers to Afghanistan to aid the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force.
Critics of the mission say Germany will become involved in war actions and thus endanger its troops in the north, where nearly 3,000 Germans lead reconstruction efforts.
Before this month is over, Germany's highest court will hear formal arguments from a German far-left party that claims the mission is unconstitutional.
Yet at an official departure ceremony on Monday at the northern German air force base in Jagel, German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung said the aim of the mission was to bring assistance, rather than fear, to the Afghan people.
"The reconnaissance gathered by our Tornados will bring more stability and security to Afghanistan," Jung said, according to Deutsche Welle Online. "Their mission is to protect ISAF troops, as well as civilian aid workers and the Afghan population."
The jets, equipped with special cameras that take highly detailed pictures from great heights, will fly their first missions starting April 9, according to German military officials.
