ANKARA Ñ Turkey is preparing to send several hundred additional military personnel to help the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan.

Officials said the government in Ankara is considering increasing the number of Turkish troops in Afghanistan to at least 300. They said this would include Turkish air force personnel.

"I would like to say that we should leave [the possibility] open with regard to possible developments in the future," Turkish Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit said. "Turkish military troops' success in Afghanistan will increase Turkey's esteem in the whole world."

Officials said Turkey is being asked to make a contribution equal to that of other NATO allies such as Germany, France and Italy. These three countries are sending between 2,000 and 4,000 soldiers each to Afghanistan.

The first step, the officials said, could be the deployment of two additional commando units to Afghanistan. Ankara has already sent 90 commandos to the Asian country. Turkish military commanders said the departure date of the commandos has not yet been determined.

U.S. officials said the two countries continue to coordinate on the military requirements of the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan. These include plans for a ground invasion of that country, which would require both additional combatants and intelligence personnel.

"In this critical period, however, the United States needs Turkey more than ever," U.S. ambassador to Ankara Robert Pearson said.

As a result of its support for the war effort, Turkey hopes to receive U.S. military helicopters for free as a reward.

Turkish government sources said the proposed gift has been discussed within the administration and Congress amid Ankara's decision to send troops to Afghanistan. Turkey has sent 90 commandos to Afghanistan and plans to deploy additional troops.

The Pentagon has drafted a package of military aid to Turkey that includes the transfer of weapons and defensive systems at free or reduced prices. Other options include the reduction or elimination of Turkey's $5 billion debt to the United States.

The package is expected to be concluded and sent to Ankara by the end of the month, the sources said.

The sources said the Pentagon is considering providing Turkey with 25 military helicopters from U.S. surplus. The gift would be accompanied by the sale of the S-70B Sea Hawk naval helicopter.

Turkey has sought 30 such helicopters in a deal that was blocked earlier this year by the Greek lobby in Congress.

The Bush administration has sought to encourage Turkish participation in the Afghan war amid rising domestic opposition. More than 110 Turkish parliamentarians have filed a suit in the Constitutional Court that would demand parliamentary approval for the sending of Turkish troops abroad.

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