WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy recently praised the latest step in partnership between the United States and Poland.

Murphy, a Democrat and member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and co-chairman of the bipartisan U.S. Senate Caucus on Poland, applauded Poland’s plan to purchase the Patriot missile defense systems from Raytheon Company of Waltham, Mass.

“Poland’s announcement of the purchase of the Patriot missile defense system is another positive step underscoring the strong bilateral security partnership between the United States and Poland,” Murphy said in a statement.

“This missile defense system will enhance the existing cooperation on the Aegis Ashore missile defense systems being installed in Romania and Poland. At a time when Russian aggression threatens the region, Poland is leading the way to further strengthen and enhance our NATO partnership.”

The senator called the U.S. and Poland “close friends and steadfast allies.” He said, “Poland’s strong commitment to our shared economic prosperity and security highlights the deep friendship between the United States and Poland.”

Murphy added that he looks forward to continuing to work with “our Polish allies to further strengthen our common security.”