US President Barack Obama has committed his country to deploying SM-3 missile interceptors in Poland to replace the controversial Bush-era program.
The commitment came after Obama met his visiting Polish counterpart, Bronislaw Komorowski, at the White House on Wednesday.
It was agreed that the land-based missile interceptors will be deployed in Poland in the 2018 timeframe as part of America's NATO-wide missile system. The agreement follows a treaty signed by both countries' officials in Prague in April.
The missile system will be deployed in four stages beginning next year and would be capable of intercepting long-range and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
"President Komorowski expressed Poland's strong support for the prompt ratification of the new START treaty, as it would bolster Polish and European security and contribute to the Non- Proliferation Treaty's disarmament goals," a joint statement said.
The treaty is part of White House's efforts to reset relations with Russia.
The Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) has a range of 500 kilometers but can be enhanced for longer distances.
The missile was used by the US Navy to destroy a satellite 130 miles (209 km) above the Pacific Ocean in February of 2008. soure
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