As a demonstration of our continued efforts to provide a ballistic missile defense (BMD) capability for U.S. and European NATO Allies against established and emergent threats, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Europe District, in conjunction with the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), U.S. European Command (EUCOM), the U.S. Navy, and the Polish Ministry of Economy hosted U.S. Industry Day in Warsaw, Poland, on Feb. 11 and 12.

The two-day event was designed to help provide information on the general scope of work, the required infrastructure and facilities, and potential construction and services opportunities to support a planned U.S. missile defense asset deployment in Poland. More specifically, the event provided information to prospective contractors on how to successfully compete for U.S. government contracts and explain the application process.

"Missile defense is a critically important part of NATO security, and the United States deeply appreciates Poland’s contributions to the NATO missile defense effort," said Ambassador Stephen Mull, U.S. Ambassador to Poland. "Poland plans to spend an estimated $10 billion USD on integrated air and missile defense systems over the next ten years. This is in addition to Poland’s decision to host an American missile defense base at Redzikowo."

As approved by the President in September 2009, the purpose of the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA) to ballistic missile defense is to protect European NATO allies, and U.S. forces in the region, against current and emerging threats from the Middle East. This key event demonstrates that we are moving forward with deploying an Aegis Ashore site in Poland in the 2018 timeframe and that the U.S. continues to work in close cooperation with NATO allies to integrate BMD capabilities into a NATO missile defense system.