Poland and the US signed a memorandum of understanding in Warsaw Monday that paves the way for a permanent US Air Force detachment on Polish soil starting in 2013.

The deal, which had been endorsed by US President Barack Obama during his trip to Poland in late May, means Poland has achieved a key goal of stationing US troops on its territory as it continues to cast a suspicious eye towards Russia.

The detachment would train Polish troops in use of F-16 fighter jets and C-130 transport planes.

"This memorandum of understanding means that by the end of 2012 we will have in Poland a detachment allowing for the permanent rotation of American military aircraft, both combat and transport aircraft," Defense Minister Bogdan Klich was quoted by Reuters as saying.

"From 2013 we plan the regular and periodic presence of aircraft and the training of pilots four times a year," Mr Klich told reporters after the signing ceremony with the US Ambassador to Poland, Lee Feinstein.

Poland hosts rotating unarmed US Patriot missile batteries, which Wikileaks revealed an angry Polish official as calling "potted plants".

Despite warming relations between Warsaw and Moscow in recent years, Poland sees a permanent US presence on its soil as bolstering its security in the face of a resurgent Russia.