The US will send 1,000 additional military personnel to Poland after concluding a new defence co-operation agreement with Warsaw, a move Washington said would help counter Russia in Europe.
The increased US presence will include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, as well as infrastructure to support an armoured brigade combat team and combat aviation brigade, according to a statement from Mark Esper, US secretary of defence, on Monday.
“[T]he EDCA [Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement] will enhance deterrence against Russia, strengthen Nato, reassure our allies, and our forward presence in Poland on Nato’s eastern flank will improve our strategic and operational flexibility,” said Mr Esper, describing the deal as an “important milestone for US-Polish relations and our collective transatlantic security”.