Georgia is planning to become militarily involved in Afghanistan, sending several hundred troops to support NATO forces there.

Despite Russia's strong objection over Tbilisi's cooperation with NATO, a US defense official said Monday that Georgia is going to deploy about 500 soldiers to Afghanistan next year.

The Georgian forces will be deployed in the war-torn country without "caveats", which means no restrictions would be imposed on where they will go and what tasks they may perform.

However, there are reports suggesting that "the equivalent of a battalion" would be deployed in southern Afghanistan under French and Dutch command.

The deployment comes as insurgent attacks have reached record highs in recent weeks in Afghanistan. Nearly 90,000 foreign troops are fighting insurgents in the country.

Georgian Foreign Minister David Bakradze had earlier said that his country would send some 120 troops to support the French contingent in Kabul and 200 to accompany the Dutch in the southern province of Uruzgan and that smaller units would also be deployed alongside US troops in Afghanistan.

Georgia hopes to join the alliance despite fierce opposition from Russia, while up to seven or eight of its European allies argue that the tiny Caucasus nation must first settle its territorial disputes with separatists.

The move would unnecessarily risk ties with Russia, the opponents of Georgia's bid contend.

The United States and ex-communist central European NATO members support Georgia's membership.

HE/MD