Czech troops in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force are engaged in reconstruction projects, military training, special operations and helicopter transport. The center-right government is committed to keep the mission in place while some allies pull out.
“It is clear that strong international military and civilian presence will be necessary for several years to come,” Defense Minister Alexandr Vondra told the Senate.
“Next year will be a culmination point, we will begin to cut back gradually afterwards.”
In 2012, the Czech mission should shrink to 640 troops.
The government rushed through the troop increase before the Senate changes composition following an election last weekend.
The center-left Social Democrats, who mostly oppose beefing up the Afghan mission, took control of the upper house in the vote but the new Senators will only take their seats next month.
The Senate voted 57 to five in favor of the increase, with 14 abstentions from the vote and four not present.
With more than two months to go, 2010 is already the bloodiest for Afghan and foreign troops and civilians since the overthrow of the Taleban in late 2001. So far this year 599 foreign troops have been killed, compared with 521 in 2009.
Afghanistan will be discussed at a NATO summit in Lisbon next month. Of the 150,000 foreign troops in the country, 100,000 are American.
The Netherlands formally ended its mission in August amid strong public opposition to the war. Italy said it could begin pulling out troops next summer and Canada said it would end its combat mission next year.
