On Friday, 11 September 2026, the final day of the 34th International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO 2026 at Targi Kielce, the State Treasury – Armament Agency of the Polish Ministry of National Defence and Mesko, part of the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), signed a call-off contract for the delivery of Piorun man-portable air defense systems to the Polish Armed Forces.
Photos: PGZ
During the event, the Polish Armaments Group also signed a letter of intent with the Polish-Finnish company ICEYE, under which the partners will begin work on the concept of a military satellite communications system (MILSATCOM) for the Polish Armed Forces. The official name of the Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle (CBWP) was also announced – Niedźwiedź.
As for the Piorun MANPADS, Call-off Contract No. 1 under the framework agreement of 24 August this year provides for the delivery of several thousand missiles and launch mechanisms for the system. The contract also covers the delivery of training and logistics packages. It was concluded under the common procurement procedure within the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument, with Poland acting as the lead nation for the purchase.
The framework agreement signed in August is worth 8 billion PLN net and allows the defense ministries of partner countries participating in the SAFE program – the Kingdom of Norway, Lithuania, and Latvia – to join the procurement. Deliveries will continue through 2030. More than 80% of all missiles and launch units procured under the order will be intended for the Polish Armed Forces.
Piorun is currently one of the most recognizable Polish weapon systems. It is designed to engage low-flying aerial targets such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. In the Polish Armed Forces, it is used in the lowest layer of the air defense system for very short-range and low-altitude engagements (VSHORAD).
Piorun is a modernized version of the Grom MANPADS, which is also in service with the Polish Armed Forces. The modernization introduced a modified launch mechanism, a new seeker with increased sensitivity, and an electro-optical sight mounted on a dedicated rail. These changes increased target acquisition capability, resistance to countermeasures, and engagement range.
The modifications also included the introduction of a proximity fuze, in addition to the existing impact fuze, as well as a directional warhead, improving effectiveness against small targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles. A user authorization system and the ability to conduct engagements at night were also introduced. Mesko is currently working on successor systems, Piorun NG and Grzmot.
⚡ PIORUN uderza drugi raz!@AgencjaUzbr i @PGZ_MESKO_SA podpisały na #MSPO2026 pierwszą umowę wykonawczą do sierpniowej umowy ramowej na zestawy PIORUN. 🇵🇱🚀
💰 Ok. 3 mld zł netto
Kolejne zestawy PIORUN wraz z pakietem szkoleniowym i logistycznym trafią do Sił Zbrojnych RP.… pic.twitter.com/708M29FzWx— Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa🇵🇱 (@PGZ_pl) September 11, 2026
⚡ PIORUN uderzy dziś ponownie!
Za chwilę na #MSPO2026 kolejne ważne wydarzenie dla polskiej obrony powietrznej i MESKO. 🇵🇱🚀
✅ Są z nami: @PremierRP @donaldtusk, Wiceminister @MON_GOV_PL @magdasobkowiak & @CTomczyk, Wiceminister @MAPGOVPL @KonradGolota, gen. bryg. Michał… pic.twitter.com/Dmr4qv3uz1
— Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa🇵🇱 (@PGZ_pl) September 11, 2026
