Piorun MANPADS in Thailand

The visit of the Polish company’s delegation took place in Bangkok on February 3, during which the capabilities of the PPZR Piorun system were showcased. The Thai Armed Forces currently use Russian Igla-S launchers in this category of equipment, which are inferior to the Mesko product in terms of air target engagement capabilities. Thai short-range air defense is supplemented by British Starstreak systems. Following the demonstration, Mesko’s delegation participated in a business and trade discussion session.

„The demonstration of our flagship product, whose reliability has been repeatedly confirmed during the ongoing Ukrainian armed conflict, serves as an excellent introduction to establishing long-term trade cooperation. Our company’s broad portfolio aligns with the demands of foreign markets across multiple aspects of our business model and export capabilities.” — Krzysztof Marwicki, Member of the Board of MESKO S.A.

The Piorun shoulder-fired launchers are Mesko’s flagship product. Besides being adopted by the Polish Armed Forces, they have also been recognized by international clients, including the United States, Estonia, Norway, Ukraine, and Moldova. The number of countries interested in acquiring them is growing, with Slovakia and Lithuania among the potential buyers. In its category, the Piorun system is currently regarded as one of the best solutions in the world, having been tested in full-scale armed conflict for nearly three years in Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers highly appreciate the Mesko product for its effectiveness, reliability, build quality, operational safety, and ease of use. 

Piorun MANPADS has been developed within the framework of the domestic industry’s R&D effort, pursued since the year 2010 by Mesko S.A. (leader), Telesystem-Mesko, and the Military University of Technology. The project has made use of experiences gathered during the development of the Grom missile. Piorun offers better resistance to countermeasures, and greater capabilities when it comes to engaging targets with low thermal signature. Piorun can be used against air threats, such as fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, cruise missiles, and UAVs, at a distance ranging from 400 meters, up to 6.5 kilometers, flying at altitudes ranging from 10 meters to 4 kilometers.

The system features a programmable seeker that is resistant to countermeasures, and it also features a proximity sensor. The seeker’s operation can be tailored to match a specific target before the missile is launcher - this enhances the kill probability. The Piorun system is currently in service with Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Norway, the United States, Georgia, and, in the future, Slovakia.