The Polish government has announced that a US anti-missile base in Poland is set to become operational on Friday.
The Redzikowo Air Base in northern Poland is poised to become the second US base of its kind in Europe, with the first one situated in southern Romania.
NATO states that the Aegis system, constructed by the United States and deployed at both sites, is designed to defend against ballistic missiles originating from Iran.
Russia vehemently opposes the bases, asserting that they pose a security threat.
Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki informed the parliament that the United States had officially communicated to his government the commencement of operations for the base on December 15.
The bases located in Romania and Poland are integral components of a missile defense system that includes a radar facility in Turkey, a command center in Germany, and US Navy ships.
The Redzikowo base was initially planned to commence operations in 2018, but its opening has faced persistent delays.
The Aegis system is crafted to detect missile launches using satellite systems. Upon detection, interceptor rockets are deployed from either sea or land to target and destroy the enemy missile in space.
According to the alliance, the system is designed to shield its members from short- and medium-range ballistic missiles originating from Iran. It’s important to note, however, that the system is not effective against cruise missiles.
Russia has raised concerns, contending that Aegis poses a threat to its nuclear deterrent, a assertion that NATO has refuted.
The Redzikowo base is situated approximately 150 km (93 miles) from Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave positioned on the Baltic Sea between Poland and Lithuania.
The Aegis system is additionally deployed on ships from the United States, Japan, and South Korea in East Asia.
In that region, the system is perceived as being designed to safeguard against missiles from China and North Korea targeting U.S. allies in Asia.
