Poland says U.S. shield deal hinges on Patriots

WARSAW/VILNIUS (Reuters) - Poland is insisting on the permanent stationing of a U.S. Patriot battery on its soil as a condition for hosting part of a anti-missile defence shield, its defence minister was quoted as saying on Friday.

Washington wants to install 10 interceptor missiles in Poland, a NATO ally, as part of the shield project, which aims to protect the United States and its allies from attack by so-called "rogue states" and terrorist groups.

In return, Warsaw wants hefty U.S. investments to upgrade its air defences. Last week, Prime Minister Donald Tusk rejected as insufficient a U.S. offer to base a Patriot battery on Polish soil for just one year, but the negotiations are continuing.

The Patriot is a long-range, high-altitude, all-weather system designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft.

"We want this (Patriot) battery to be placed on our territory permanently," Defence Minister Bogdan Klich told the Dziennik daily in an interview.

"Patriots are the main condition (for an agreement on the shield). We are still waiting for the results of talks (with the United States) on modernisation of our armed forces."

Klich repeated the Polish view that hosting the interceptors would increase the security risks for his country, hence the need for increased U.S. security guarantees.

"Just having the installations on our soil does not strengthen our security ... Poland can become a target for attack," he said.

Klich's comments came after Iran held a series of missile tests in the Gulf, sparking a pledge from the United States that it stood ready to defend its allies. Washington accuses Tehran of trying to build nuclear weapons. Iran denies this.