From Reuters: Poland and the United States signed a deal on Friday that paves the way for the stationing of U.S. troops on the territory of its east European NATO ally.

The “status of forces” accord (SOFA), a technical document tentatively approved in November after 15 months of talks, also makes possible deployments of a U.S. Patriot missile battery in Poland next year as part of plans to upgrade its air defences…

Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski noted that the SOFA deal was concluded just a week after Poland agreed to send 600 more troops to join its 2,000-strong contingent in Afghanistan after President Barack Obama’s appeal to NATO allies for more help…

Polish officials say a battery would be permanently based in Poland from 2012 and that Warsaw would also aim to buy its own anti-missile systems. (photo: U.S. Army)