Piorun Missiles for Sweden

During the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) event currently underway in London, Försvarets materielverk (FMV), the Swedish military procurement administration, signed a new order with MESKO SA of Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) for the supply of Piorun anti-aircraft missiles.

The new order, worth about 3 billion Swedish crowns or 273 million euros, follows a previous lower-value contract signed last July.
The Piorun will be operational with the Swedish Armed Forces in the first quarter of 2026, and the deliveries of the missiles ordered by FMV will be completed by MESKO SA in 2027.
For the Swedish ground forces, the Piorun is intended to integrate with the RBS 70 NG system, further enhancing short-range, low-altitude anti-aircraft defense for maneuvering units and for defending bases, infrastructure, and airports.
The distribution of Piorun missiles to the Swedish Navy to boost anti-aircraft defense is also a possibility.

Broad NATO Distribution

The Piorun has had great commercial success, having acquitted itself well in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, shooting down dozens of UAS, helicopters, combat aircraft, and Russian cruise missiles.
Following Poland, the missile has rapidly spread, being purchased by Norway, Estonia, Latvia, and by Belgium, which will receive the Piorun by the end of the current year. The United States has also purchased a small batch of these systems.
Lithuania will receive the Piorun, replacing the less advanced Groms to strengthen close-range anti-aircraft defense.

Piorun Features

The Piorun is a MANPADS VSHORAD that can be operated by a single operator; the complete system weighs less than 20 kg.
The missile, derived from the Russian Igla – maintaining only the general configuration – is equipped with a fragmentation HE warhead and flies at a speed of 560 meters per second, engaging targets flying at an operational altitude between 10 and 4,000 meters and a range of between 400 and 8,000 meters (6,500 effective).
Source: Försvarets materielverk (FMV)
Photo credit: @Norwegian Armed Forces