Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of National Defense Mariusz Błaszczak approved the contract increasing the number of “Piorun” anti-aircraft missile systems ordered for the Polish Army. The army will receive 3.5 thousand missiles and 600 starting mechanisms.

“We are well aware of the challenges facing Poland. Polish authorities are drawing conclusions from the war in Ukraine. Therefore, the Polish army is equipped with modern equipment. Additional sets of missile systems will be delivered to the soldiers later this year”, said Mariusz Błaszczak.

“The pace is fast as the international situation requires it. We want to convince the Kremlin authorities, the empire of evil that is being revived before our eyes, to not dare to attack Poland and the countries of the North Atlantic Alliance”, he added.

The head of the Ministry of National Defense noted that the “Piorun” missile sets had already proved their worth during the war in Ukraine, and the Ukrainians use them to successfully defend themselves against the Russian invasion. Minister Błaszczak emphasized that it is a product of Polish technical design, weapons produced in Poland, and the Ministry of National Defense informed that the ordering of systems at the Mesko factory is part of the consistent strengthening of the position of the Polish defense industry.

“Piorun” portable anti-aircraft missile systems are designed to fight 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 distances and low altitudes.

“Piorun” is a modernized version of the “Grom” set, which is also used by the Polish Army. As part of the modernization, the engineers added a modified starting mechanism, a new self-guiding head with greater sensitivity and an optoelectronic sight mounted on a special rail were used. Thanks to this, the target acquisition capabilities, resistance to interference and the range of destruction have been increased.

Arkadiusz Słomczyński