Estonia receives Piorun MANPADS
Piorun MANPAD system has been in service with Poland, Ukraine and Estonia. (Photo: ECDI)
PIORUN, a man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS) in service in Poland and Ukraine, was introduced in 2019 and has a range of more than 7km.
Poland’s MESKO has completed delivery of Piorun short-range man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS) to Estonia fulfilling a deal signed in September 2022.
At the time of the Estonian contract signature it was announced that it was for 300 missiles and 100 launchers.
Piorun, described as a ‘deep modernisation’ of Mesko’s PZR Grom MANPADS, has been in Polish service since 1995. Poland signed a contract US$220 million contract for 1,300 missiles and 420 launchers in 2016 to be delivered in 2017–22 (later delayed to 2023).
On 23 June 2022, Poland announced it had increased its Piorun requirement to 3,500 missiles and 600 launchers.
The system has also been in use in Ukraine where, according to the company, ‘it has proven its reliability [and has been a] successful weapon systems in the Ukrainian war’.
The company has developed Piorun+ with an increased range of 10,000m (3,500m more than the baseline missile) and a higher maximum effective altitude. It would also include upgraded detection and guidance system with an improved target detection capability and better resistance to active and passive jamming.
The next step will be the Piorun 2 missile, which was still in development as of mid-2022, potentially resulting in a vehicle- or soldier-launched missile with a range of 15km.
More from Land Warfare
-
![US Army plans Q2 prototype proposal request for its Mobile Tactical Cannon programme]()
US Army plans Q2 prototype proposal request for its Mobile Tactical Cannon programme
The US Army is seeking a mature 155mm, wheeled, self-propelled capability to replace the towed M777 howitzer in the Stryker, Mobile and Infantry Brigade Combat Teams as it targets a potential 498-unit acquisition goal.
-
![British Army’s Project Stokes 120mm mortar bids due in March 2026]()
British Army’s Project Stokes 120mm mortar bids due in March 2026
Project Stokes could see a new 120mm mortar capability enter British service, with domestic production and international partnerships central to competing bids.
-
![MKJ Warrior Series — The Nett Warrior Qualified Connector for Today’s Soldier Systems]()
MKJ Warrior Series — The Nett Warrior Qualified Connector for Today’s Soldier Systems
ITT Cannon’s MKJ Warrior connectors are designed for the harshest environments, delivering mission critical comms, navigation and USB data/power.
-
![Active vehicle protection comes to the forefront as Trophy and Iron Fist secure contracts]()
Active vehicle protection comes to the forefront as Trophy and Iron Fist secure contracts
Experience on the battlefield is accelerating the adoption of active protection systems as technologies continue to evolve to reflect shifting global defence needs.
-
![World Defense Show 2026: Hanwha increases Middle East presence and reveals Tigon 6x6 sale]()
World Defense Show 2026: Hanwha increases Middle East presence and reveals Tigon 6x6 sale
Shephard sat down with Hanwha Middle East and Africa president Sung Il at World Defense Show 2026 to hear about the company’s plans for the region and how it plans to use local industry success to win deals.
