Poland Supplies Moldova with Piorun MANPADS

The Polish defense industry has delivered Piorun man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) to Moldova.

This information comes from Defence24, referencing a report on Poland’s arms exports in 2024.

However, the report does not specify whether the shipment includes only launchers, a combination of missiles and launchers, or complete systems.

The report only mentions 44 Piorun missiles that were delivered to Moldova in the past year.

Mesko, the manufacturer of these MANPADS, typically offers one launcher and two missiles per set, but customers can purchase in different configurations – for example, missiles only, to replenish their stock if they already have functional launchers.

Piorun MANPADS

Piorun MANPADS is a deeply modernized version of the Polish Grom missile system, produced by Mesko. Within this upgrade, the sensitivity of the infrared homing device has been quadrupled. The man-portable air defense system has a warhead of 1.82 kg, and it is known to be able to hit targets at an altitude of up to 4,000 m and a range of up to 6,500 m.

Poland delivered the first Piorun MANPADS to Ukraine in early February 2022. The number of systems transferred was not disclosed. However, by March 2022, National Guard fighters had already used Piorun MANPADS, along with Soviet-made Igla systems, to shoot down a Su-34 over Kharkiv.

In Poland, work is underway on the next-generation Piorun MANPADS, named Piorun NG. The weapon is being developed with consideration for the experience gained from Russia’s war against Ukraine.