On Friday, May 8, 2026, the 3rd Regional Logistics Base in Kraków (3. RBLog) published a notice announcing the launch of a tender procedure, conducted as a restricted competitive procedure, for emergency repair services for launch mechanisms used in Grom and Piorun man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS).
Piorun MANPADS / Photo: Mesko
The deadline for submitting requests to participate in the tender will expire on June 9, 2026, at 7:00 a.m. The offer selection criteria will be the price per man-hour, meaning 60 minutes of work by one contractor employee (60%), and warranty (40%). The contract is to remain in force for 41 months – 3 years and 5 months – from the date of its conclusion.
A detailed description of the subject of the contract will be made available to contractors invited to submit offers in the second stage of the procedure. Detailed terms for the performance of the contract will be included in the draft contractual provisions, which will also be made available in the second stage of the procedure to contractors invited to submit offers.
It is worth noting that on May 5 this year, the 3. RBLog awarded a tender for repair and maintenance services for Poprad self-propelled anti-aircraft missile systems (SPZR Poprad) in 2026-2029, which are armed with Grom or Piorun systems. The contract, worth 28,861,788.62 PLN, was signed with PIT-Radwar.
Piorun and Grom MANPADS
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, as very short-range air defense (VSHORAD) systems (More Piorun MANPADS for the Polish Armed Forces).
Piorun is a modernized version of the Grom MANPADS, which is also in service with the Polish Armed Forces, having been introduced in 1995. The modernization included a modified launch mechanism, a new seeker head with greater sensitivity, and an optoelectronic sight mounted on a special rail. As a result, target acquisition capabilities, resistance to countermeasures, and engagement range were increased to 5,500-6,500 meters, at altitudes from 10 to 4,000 meters. By comparison, the Grom MANPADS has a range of up to 5,500 m and an altitude ceiling of up to 3,500 m.
The changes also included the introduction of a proximity fuze, in addition to the existing impact fuze, and a directional warhead, increasing effectiveness against small targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles. In addition, a user authorization system was introduced, along with the ability to fire in nighttime conditions.
See also:
- First Piorun MANPADS Deliveries to Sweden Underway
- Polish Piorun MANPADS (officially) in Belgium
- Polish Piorun 2 MANPADS Coming in Three Years
- Norway: More Test Firings with the Piorun MANPADS
- The 3,000th Piorun Man-Portable Air-Defense System, manufactured by Mesko
- The Piorun system presented to the Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Thailand
- Polish Piorun MANPADS For Georgia