Germany is moving forward with plans to acquire Poland’s Piorun man-portable air defense system (MANPADS), a decision highlighted by Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk. While Tomczyk confirmed Germany’s preliminary interest, specifics regarding the deal’s quantity, cost, and timeline were not disclosed.
“This interest from Germany reflects the innovative capabilities of the Polish defense industry and enhances our global standing,” Tomczyk stated, emphasizing the significance of the deal. However, he urged caution, stating that a final decision had yet to be made and discussions are still in progress.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also shed light on the prospective transaction, revealing that a portion of the Piorun systems would be designated for the German Armed Forces, while the rest is expected to assist Ukraine in its defense against ongoing aggression.
The Piorun system, developed by the state-owned defense firm Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa, along with its subsidiaries Mesko and Jelcz, was launched in 2019 and is engineered to engage low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and drones. Measuring 2 meters (approximately 7 feet) in length, the weapon employs a warhead made of high-explosive octogen chemical combined with aluminum powder, activated by a solid-fuel rocket motor.
The Piorun can intercept targets at a maximum altitude of up to 4,000 meters (around 13,123 feet) and is capable of neutralizing threats from a range of 400 meters (about 1,312 feet) to 6.5 kilometers (approximately 4 miles) at speeds reaching Mach 2 (around 2,470 kilometers/1,535 miles per hour).
The system has already been utilized by Ukrainian forces in their conflict with Russia, with exports having also reached countries such as Belgium, Sweden, various Baltic states, Norway, and the United States. This potential acquisition signals heavier investments in air defense capabilities amidst the evolving security landscape in Europe.
