Germany is considering the procurement of Poland’s indigenously developed Piorun man-portable air defense system (MANPADS).
Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk confirmed Berlin’s preliminary interest but did not disclose specifics such as the number of units, contract value, or delivery schedule. “Germany has expressed initial interest in acquiring the Piorun, which is a matter of pride for us. It demonstrates how advancements in Poland’s defence industry are shaping international perceptions and strengthening our national interests,” Tomczyk was quoted as saying by Reuters.
In a separate statement, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk indicated that a portion of the systems would be delivered to the German Armed Forces, while the remaining units would be supplied to Ukraine.
About the Piorun
Introduced in 2019 by Poland’s state-owned defense group Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, along with its subsidiaries Mesko and Jelcz, the Piorun is designed to counter low-altitude aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
The system measures approximately 2 meters in length and is equipped with a high-explosive octogen-based warhead combined with aluminum powder. It is powered by a solid-fuel rocket motor. The Piorun can engage targets at altitudes of up to 4,000 meters and at ranges between 400 meters and 6.5 kilometers, reaching speeds of up to Mach 2.
The system has been deployed by Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia and has also been exported to countries such as Belgium, Sweden, the Baltic states, Norway, and the United States.
