NATO will locate the command centre for its US-led missile shield at the alliance base in Ramstein, Germany, a diplomat told AFP on Thursday.

"The command for the NATO missile shield will be based at the NATO base in Ramstein," the diplomat said on condition of anonymity.

The centre will be operational following a Chicago summit in May, the source added.

NATO already announced last year that Spain would host US ships with interceptor missiles while an early warning radar system will be based in Turkey.

Land-based interceptors will be located in Romania by 2015 and in Poland by 2018, when the system is expected to be fully operational.

The United States insists that the missile shield aims to counter missile threats from Iran, but Russia has voiced concerns that it would target its own strategic deterrent.