Joint Statement on the U.S.-Poland Ballistic Missile Defense Agreement

15 September 2011

The United States and Poland are pleased to jointly announce that the Ballistic Missile Defense Agreement (BMDA) of 2008 and its Amending Protocol of 2010 on deployment of the land-based SM-3 system within Poland has entered into force, effective September 15, 2011. The U.S. Ballistic Missile Defense system will be located at Redzikowo Base as a part of the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) to missile defense in the 2018 timeframe. This base represents a significant contribution by our two nations to a future NATO missile defense capability.

U.S. Ambassador to Poland Lee A. Feinstein welcomed the announcement, saying, “I am pleased that the Ballistic Missile Defense Agreement between our countries is the first to enter into force. This marks another critical step in implementing the EPAA.”  He added, “The proliferation of ballistic missiles that are more lethal, more accurate, and can cover greater distances poses a growing threat to the people and security of both Europe and the United States. The agreement that entered into force today with Poland, together with the signing of the BMDA with Romania and Turkey's recent decision to host missile defense radar in support of NATO's common missile defense efforts will provide a missile defense capability with the goal of protecting NATO European populations, including Poland, from this common threat."