The U.S. and Polish governments on July 3 concluded an amended agreement for Poland to host a missile defense system designed to protect U.S. allies and deployed troops, according to a July 3 State Department statement.

Under the agreement, the United States will deploy ground-based interceptor missiles in Poland in 2018 as part of the administration of U.S. President Barack Obama’s Phased Adaptive Approach for European missile defense. The Obama administration announced in September plans to overhaul the previous administration’s plan for European missile defense, under which Poland had agreed to host 10 ground-based interceptor missiles.

The first step in the Phased Adaptive Approach is expected to be implemented next year, with the deployment of U.S. Navy Aegis ships to European waters.