BSDA 2026: Polish Armaments Group companies at the trade fair in Romania

The BSDA 2026 (Black Sea Defense, Aerospace and Security) defense industry trade fair is being held in Bucharest on May 13-15 this year. Companies belonging to Polish Armaments Group (PGZ) ‒ Przedsiębiorstwo Sprzętu Ochronnego (PSO) Maskpol, Mesko, and Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów (ZMT) ‒ presented their flagship products at stand E503.

Photo: Jakub Link-Lenczowski, MILMAG

PSO Maskpol is presenting ROCK vests in the 3.0 and 4.0 versions, including a new police variant, a product line in MAPA camouflage, new WBD ballistic plates, the HHB-01 hybrid combat helmet, the HBT-02 bulletproof helmet, and the HP-05 ballistic helmet.

Mesko presented its flagship product, the Piorun MANPADS, as well as small-caliber ammunition.

The Piorun MANPADS are designed to engage low-flying aircraft such as airplanes, helicopters, and drones. In the Polish Armed Forces, they are used in the lowest layer of the air-defense system, at short ranges and low altitudes, in the VSHORAD segment.

Piorun is a modernized version of the Grom MANPADS, which has also been in service with the Polish Armed Forces since 1995. The modernization introduced a modified launch mechanism, a new, more sensitive seeker, and an optoelectronic sight mounted on a dedicated rail. As a result, target acquisition capabilities, resistance to countermeasures, and engagement range were increased to 5,500-6,500 m, at altitudes from 10 to 4,000 m.

The changes also included the introduction of a proximity fuze, alongside the existing impact fuze, and a directional warhead, increasing effectiveness against small targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles. In addition, a user-authorization system and the ability to fire at night were introduced.

Zakłady Mechaniczne Tarnów presented the RGP-40 hand-held repeating grenade launcher, the LMP-2017 mortar, the MWS-25 modular weapon system (SKW .308), the MWS-15 automatic rifle, and the UKM-2020S light machine gun.