The news that France is to send an extra 1,000 troops to fight the Taleban will be a timely boost for the overburdened members of Nato who have borne the brunt of its attacks.

France has professional, highly capable troops with combat experience gained in many parts of the globe, notably Africa.

Although the French have been part of the Nato set-up in Afghanistan since the beginning, they have been based largely in and around Kabul, the capital, and have neither sought nor been required to deploy to the real troublespots in the south and east. French special forces have operated against the Taleban, although without any publicity.

With relatively few Nato countries contributing troops for a combat role against the Taleban — they include the United States, Britain, Canada, the Netherlands, Poland, Denmark and Estonia — any offer of a capable force will be welcome, principally for the military commanders who need more flexibility in deciding how to counter any spring offensive by the insurgents.

If the 1,000 French troops are sent to eastern Afghanistan they will link up with the Americans and Poles. But in the event of a call from the south by the Canadians, based in Kandahar province, it may well be the French who go to their aid. The French and Canadians have had talks in Paris about joint operations.

Although France withdrew from Nato’s military structure in the 1960s,it has played roles in many alliance missions. In the Gulf War in 1991, French troops had a relatively marginal role, advancing into Iraq from Kuwait well to the west. But in Bosnia they were in Sarajevo and gained a reputation for toughness.

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