Prague, London  - Czech Defence Minister Vlasta Parkanova and her US counterpart Robert Gates Friday have signed a deal on rules for stationing US troops at a planned missile defence base in the ex-communist country, the Czech Defence Ministry said.

The ministers inked the so-called Status of Forces Agreement on the sidelines of NATO's informal meeting in London. The accord complements a main diplomatic treaty signed in Prague on July 8.

Despite Moscow's fierce objections, Washington plans to place a tracking radar in a military zone south-west of Prague as well as 10 interceptor missiles in neighbouring Poland.

Warsaw agreed to host the missile shield installation on August 20 in exchange for US military aid, including Patriot air defence missiles. In both countries the missile shield deals require parliamentary approval.

The ministers have also signed a declaration on cooperation, under which the US vows to help the Czech Republic boost its military "transport capacities", said Jan Pejsek, a spokesman for the Czech Defence Ministry.

Prague is interested in two used US Hercules transport planes but no deal has been made so far, Pejsek said. Czech officials have insisted that they are not seeking the aircraft as a reward for the radar base. (dpa)