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Ukraine - Piorun

Poland provided Ukraine with an undisclosed number of Pioruns since Russia invaded the country on February 24. The portable anti-aircraft missile system PPZR Piorun was a variant of the further development of existing Strela-2M serial MANPADS, differing from them in a new element base and improved performance. On 01 February 2022, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki paid a visit to Kyiv. He expressed support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and compared life in the neighborhood of the Russian Federation with life at the foot of a volcano.

Against the backdrop of the threat of Russian aggression against Ukraine, Poland supports Ukraine and has decided to transfer Piorun man-portable air defense systems and ammunition. Polish Minister of National Defense Mariusz Blaszczak, who initiated the transfer of weapons to Ukraine, wrote about this 01 February 2022 on Twitter , . " Good news. At my request, the Council of Ministers adopted a resolution on assistance to Ukraine. We will provide the most modern Polish equipment - Piorun man-portable air defense systems and ammunition ," he wrote.

The Ukrainian army has posted a number of videos showing Pioruns destroying Russian aircraft. The missiles are also liked by the US Army, which will buy several hundred of them. MESKO S.A. successfully negotiated a deal with the US Department of Defense in February 2022. The US Government order may eventually amount to several hundred PIORUN MANPADS systems. “Grom and Piorun MANPADS are a critical element of core business for our company. Both products are available in export variants, and we have been experiencing sudden growth of interest, in the case of potential foreign customers. Not disregarding the requirements of the main customer, the Polish Armed Forces, we are successively expanding the export segment. Currently, we are engaged in several procurement processes for both missile types, where we see a major chance for potential success.” – underlines Elzbieta Sreniawska, President of the Management Board at MESKO S.A. The acquisition of the Piorun system by the United States is a major feat of the Polish defence industry, as it would deliver equipment for a demanding user, also responding to the requirements voiced by the US Army.

In the seventies of the last century, the Polish People's Republic received a license for the production of the Soviet Strela-2M MANPADS. The production of such products was successfully established, with key components supplied from the USSR. In the late eighties, preparations began for the production of a newer Igla complex, but well-known events did not allow it to be completed.

Although outwardly "Perun" looks like a Soviet-Russian product of military-scientific production, inside it is a different and better MANPADS, albeit with Soviet roots. During the development of Thunder-2, Polish scientists adopted the principle of nothing foreign, that is, Russian. Import substitution in Poland began in the early 90s. As a result, the Polish Defense Army received a modern MANPADS system, which from the beginning had problems with solid-state rocket engines during tests until 2018, but already at the end of 2019 - the beginning of 2020, the army received a fully ready complex that went into mass production.

Weight and overall characteristics remained approximately at the level of their predecessors. The total length of MANPADS in a combat-ready position exceeds 1.6 m, weight - 16.5 kg. Carrying and using the complex are provided by one shooter-operator.

Rocket for "Perun" is made in a cylindrical body of high elongation with a transparent hemispherical head fairing, equipped with a characteristic "needle". Rocket length - 1.6 m, diameter - 72 mm, weight - 10.5 kg. The layout of the product remained the same: the head compartment accommodates the control devices, the engine is located in the tail, and the warhead is installed between them.

A new cooled Polish-designed GOS based on a modern element base is used. An increase in sensitivity and, accordingly, an increase in the target detection range or work on targets with a reduced thermal signature is provided. The missile control system is made digital and is characterized by high speed, which made it possible to increase the reliability of target tracking and overall combat effectiveness. Introduced modes of operation for launching in pursuit or towards the target.

The missile receives a new fragmentation warhead weighing 1.82 kg with an enhanced charge. There are contact and laser non-contact fuses. Reportedly, such a set of fuses allows you to hit not only aircraft, but also smaller drones. The trigger mechanism has undergone significant modifications. Its electronics have been rebuilt with modern components and added new features. By analogy with the Needle, they made a switch to set the firing mode, on a catch-up or oncoming course. An "authorization system" has been added, allowing only the operator with the key to start.