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
-
![Fenris 6x6 emerges as first joint vehicle from John Cockerill-Arquus partnership]()
Fenris 6x6 emerges as first joint vehicle from John Cockerill-Arquus partnership
The new 6x6 wheeled fire support vehicle is armed with a 105mm NATO-standard high-pressure rifled gun, positioning it for the French Army and wider potential allied requirements.
-
![Do heavy IFV designs make sense on the modern battlefield?]()
Do heavy IFV designs make sense on the modern battlefield?
Even with additional armour, many current-generation infantry fighting vehicles are highly vulnerable to enemy fire in the contemporary operating environment. Are heavier platforms based on tank designs for use in this role the answer?
-
![Uncrewed ground vehicles put to the test as NATO eyes autonomous shift]()
Uncrewed ground vehicles put to the test as NATO eyes autonomous shift
The European Land Robot Trials are influenced by NATO researchers seeking to create uncrewed ground vehicle standards for allied Western forces working in multinational task forces.
-
![Russia tries to keep BMP-3 relevant with new weapon options]()
Russia tries to keep BMP-3 relevant with new weapon options
New iterations of a 57mm gun system highlight a push towards multi-role turrets capable of countering armour, drones and aerial targets.
-
![More details revealed on Kosovo’s Humvee Hawkeye 105mm order]()
More details revealed on Kosovo’s Humvee Hawkeye 105mm order
The agreement points to growing international interest in mobile and survivable artillery systems, with further orders and export opportunities already emerging.
-
![UK Defence Investment Plan: What does it mean for the British Army?]()
UK Defence Investment Plan: What does it mean for the British Army?
The UK’s Defence Investment Plan splurges big for future air and naval programmes, including new hybrid ships, but there are fewer big-ticket items for British Army vehicles. Shephard’s Damian Kemp looks at the much delayed plan.
