Optical amplification device for receiving an optical input signal and transmitting an amplified optical output signal on the basis of the optical input signal comprising: an optical amplifier comprising an input and an output; an optical gain control unit connected to the output path and the input path of the optical amplifier, the optical gain control unit configured to control the gain of the optical output signal, wherein the optical gain control unit further comprises an attenuation device, wherein the attenuation device is connected to the output path of the optical amplifier and the attenuation device is connected to the input path of the optical amplifier; and an electrical gain control unit connected to the output path and the input path of the optical amplifier, the electrical gain control unit configured to control the gain of the optical output signal, wherein said optical gain control unit is connected to said input path of the optical amplifier by means of a first optical add/drop filter, wherein the optical input signal is applied to the electrical gain control unit and the first optical add/drop filter, wherein said optical gain control unit is connected to said output path of the optical amplifier by means of a second optical add/drop filter, wherein the second optical add/drop filter generates the optical output signal, and wherein the optical output signal is applied to the electrical gain control unit, wherein the electrical gain control unit is further connected to the optical amplifier, wherein the electrical gain control unit is configured to control the operating parameters of the optical amplifier by means of a control signal, characterized in that the electrical gain control unit is configured to incorporate a target gain for the optical amplifier, and the attenuation device is configured to be controlled in dependence on the target gain for the optical amplifier. an optical amplifier comprising an input and an output; an optical gain control unit connected to the output path and the input path of the optical amplifier, the optical gain control unit configured to control the gain of the optical output signal, wherein the optical gain control unit further comprises an attenuation device, wherein the attenuation device is connected to the output path of the optical amplifier and the attenuation device is connected to the input path of the optical amplifier; and an electrical gain control unit connected to the output path and the input path of the optical amplifier, the electrical gain control unit configured to control the gain of the optical output signal, wherein said optical gain control unit is connected to said input path of the optical amplifier by means of a first optical add/drop filter, wherein the optical input signal is applied to the electrical gain control unit and the first optical add/drop filter, wherein said optical gain control unit is connected to said output path of the optical amplifier by means of a second optical add/drop filter, wherein the second optical add/drop filter generates the optical output signal, and wherein the optical output signal is applied to the electrical gain control unit, wherein the electrical gain control unit is further connected to the optical amplifier, wherein the electrical gain control unit is configured to control the operating parameters of the optical amplifier by means of a control signal, characterized in that the electrical gain control unit is configured to incorporate a target gain for the optical amplifier, and the attenuation device is configured to be controlled in dependence on the target gain for the optical amplifier.