DHAKA: Australia will deploy military forces and aircraft to a global coalition in fighting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) militants, responding to a request from the United States to become involved militarily in the conflict in Iraq and Syria.

A 600-strong force comprising some 400 airforce personnel and 200 special forces soldiers will be deployed to the United Arab Emirates and be based at a US headquarters, Australian prime minister Tony Abbott said on Sunday, reports The Straits Times.

Eight super hornet fighter jets, an early warning and control aircraft and an aerial refuelling aircraft will be prepared and deployed in coming days, he said.

Abbott said the deployment was a ‘prudent and proportionate’ contribution to the coalition and that his government had not yet made the decision to commit troops to combat action.

BDST: 1258 HRS, SEP 14, 2014