Poland’s flagship export in the defense sector, the Piorun man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS), continues to gain traction across Europe. Belgium has become the latest country to acquire the weapon system, with deliveries expected to begin before the end of this year.

Belgium’s Minister of Defence, Theo Francken, announced the purchase on Tuesday, confirming that the Polish-made Piorun systems will be delivered to the Special Operations Regiment (SOR). After more than 15 years of seeking a modern shoulder-fired air-defense capability, Belgium is finally equipping its forces with a weapon capable of targeting low-flying aircraft and larger drones.

According to Francken, the €137 million deal includes 40 launchers and several hundred missiles. The first units are scheduled for delivery in 2025, highlighting the high production capacity and responsiveness of Mesko S.A., the Polish defense manufacturer responsible for the system.

Poland’s Export Success: The Piorun System

The PPZR Piorun (Portable Anti-Aircraft Missile System) entered service with the Polish Armed Forces in 2019. It is an advanced development of the earlier Grom system, which was itself based on the Soviet 9K38 Igla design. The Piorun represents a fully modernized solution designed for shoulder-fired use, unlike larger systems such as the French Mistral-3 or Swedish RBS-70 NG, which require tripods or separate launch mechanisms.

While its range is slightly shorter than some counterparts, the Piorun is highly mobile and lethal, capable of engaging targets at distances up to 6.5 km and altitudes of up to 4 km. Its warhead weighs approximately 2 kilograms and is designed to detonate with high fragmentation over the target.

The guidance system combines infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) sensors, offering strong resistance to countermeasures like flares. Although it lacks the more advanced imaging infrared (IIR) seekers found in the most sophisticated Western systems, the Piorun provides a balance of high effectiveness and cost-efficiency, making it an attractive option for NATO and non-NATO buyers alike.

A Niche with Few Competitors

The Piorun fills a unique gap in Western arsenals. Outside of legacy systems like the American FIM-92 Stinger, few Western MANPADS offer similar “fire-and-forget” capabilities in such a compact form. Alternatives like the British Martlet are not true fire-and-forget systems, and the only other notable contenders come from South Korea or Japan.

Belgium’s procurement will likely see the Piorun used in parallel with the Mistral-3, which the country expressed interest in through a 2023 letter of intent. The two systems, while different in deployment and operation, may offer complementary air defense capabilities for Belgian forces.

Rising Demand Across Europe

Belgium joins a growing list of European countries opting for the Piorun system, including Estonia, Norway, and Latvia. The weapon has earned a strong reputation, especially after its successful performance in Ukraine, where it was used against Russian aircraft and drones.

As geopolitical tensions and drone threats rise across the continent, lightweight and effective MANPADS like the Piorun are in high demand — and Poland’s defense industry appears well-positioned to meet that need.