American missile defense systems will enter combat duty in Romania in a five-year's time. Washington, February 5 (Interfax) - American missile defense systems will enter combat duty in Romania in a five-year's time.

The decision by Romania to host SM-3 interceptor missiles is a reflection of the U.S. strategy to make sure that as this architecture develops and grows it will protect the whole of Europe, Philip Crowley, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of State, said at a press briefing on Feb. 4.

"The choice of Romania extends the missile defense into southern Europe, and we expect, in this phase, this will be online by 2015," he said

Crowley also said that talks continue with other countries as this architecture evolves.

"For example, Poland agreed last October, in principle, to host the northern land-based SM-3 missile site. That development is still under consideration and discussion with Poland," Crowley said.