PARIS, June 5 (Xinhua) -- France will send Tiger gunships to Afghanistan to replace its three aging attack helicopters, announced French Defense Minister Herve Morin Friday.

    Armed with rockets, missiles and a 30mm cannon, those attack choppers would be able to provide close air support to ground forces battling the Talian. According to Herve Morin, the troops would arrive in Afghanistan in the summer.

    France has 2,800 soldiers in Afghanistan at NATO command. The country is to keep troops in Afghanistan, as President Nicolas Sarkozy has said French troops are committed to the mission. The country is to increase numbers of troops in Afghanistan.