MOSCOW - Russia's navy will strengthen its Baltic fleet in response to U.S. plans to deploy Patriot missiles in Poland, Russia's state RIA news agency reported on Thursday, citing an unnamed senior navy official.

The surface, underwater and aviation elements of the Baltic Fleet will be strengthened, RIA quoted the unidentified Russian navy official as saying.

A spokesman for the Russian navy declined to comment.

Poland and the United States signed a deal in November that paves the way for the deployment of a U.S. Patriot missile battery on the territory of NATO member Poland.

Poland, perturbed what it says is Russia's more assertive foreign policy, has long complained that it hosts no U.S. troops or major military installations despite sending troops to help in U.S.-led missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

(Reporting by Conor Sweeney; Editing by Guy Faulconbridge)

Poland Russia Iraq Afghanistan