Combat-proven effectiveness, advanced technology, and a symbol of innovation in the Polish defense industry – the Piorun MANPADS is a globally recognized portable missile system. Mesko, a company within the Polish Armaments Group (PGZ), has just produced the 3,000th unit of this state-of-the-art system.
Illustrative photo: Ministry of National Defense
“Reaching this production milestone is a great source of pride for us. Piorun is the result of years of work by our engineers and specialists, and its growing popularity worldwide demonstrates that Polish technical expertise is gaining recognition among our allies,” said Renata Gruszczyńska, President of the Management Board of Mesko.
Piorun is Mesko’s flagship product, currently in service with the Polish Armed Forces. The missile system gained international recognition in the context of the war in Ukraine. The real battlefield has positively verified its key attributes—effectiveness, reliability, high-quality craftsmanship, and operational safety. Currently, Piorun enhances the defensive capabilities not only of the Polish military but also of countries such as the United States, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Ukraine, and Moldova. Armed forces from around the world have also expressed interest in Mesko’s man-portable air-defense systems (Piorun system presented to the Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Thailand).
“The company continues the production and development of missile systems, strengthening its position as a key supplier of modern weaponry for the Polish army and international partners,” emphasizes Renata Gruszczyńska, President of the Management Board of Mesko.
Currently, advanced work is underway on new guidance systems for the Piorun MANPADS. The results, confirmed by field tests, provide a foundation for the rapid implementation of the next-generation Piorun NG missile, which will feature significantly enhanced combat capabilities, as well as the Grzmot system, which will offer an extended range. Piorun NG will gain additional functionality, allowing it to be integrated with air defense systems such as SPZR Poprad, Pilica/Pilica+, and Kusza. The Grzmot system, with a range of up to 12 km, will be deployed in mobile air defense units designed to protect Land Forces formations.
The Piorun MANPADS is designed to engage helicopters, aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and cruise missiles. The missile is equipped with a proximity fuse, allowing it to strike a target even in the event of a near miss. The system features an additional daytime and thermal imaging sight, ensuring effective operation both during the day and at night. It is also equipped with a new launch mechanism that enables pre-launch missile programming and communication with both daytime and nighttime sights.
Piorun is capable of identifying and engaging targets with various characteristics, under different weather conditions. Its effectiveness against low-signature targets, such as cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has been significantly improved. Another key advantage is the system’s near-total immunity to electronic countermeasures used to protect modern aerial platforms. Compared to its predecessor, the Grom MANPADS, Piorun’s engagement range has been extended to 5,500–6,500 meters, with an altitude coverage of 10 to 4,000 meters.