The United States is sending two Patriot missile defense batteries to Poland to counter any potential threat to the United States and NATO allies, United States European Command (EUCOM) spokesman Capt. Adam Miller has said.

"At the direction of the Secretary of Defense and at the invitation of our Polish allies, General Wolters, Commander of US European Command, has directed US Army Europe and Africa to reposition two Patriot Batteries to Poland," CNN quoted Miller as saying.

"This defensive deployment is being conducted proactively to counter any potential threat to US and Allied forces and NATO territory," he said.

"Every step we take is intended to deter aggression and reassure our allies," he said.