The Piorun Portable Anti-Aircraft Missile System (PPZR) is a state-of-the-art MANPAD system developed in Poland. It is an advanced modernization of the earlier Grom set. Since its introduction into service in 2019, Piorun has gained recognition both at home and abroad, becoming an important component of the Polish defense industry.
Production and financial achievements of Mesko S.A.
On February 12, 2025, the Mesko S.A. plant celebrated the production of the three-thousandth PPZR Piorun system. The ceremony was attended, among others, by Minister of State Assets Jakub Jaworowski and Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defense Paweł Bejda. Mesko CEO Renata Gruszczyńska reported that the company’s net profit in 2024 was 235 million zlotys, a significant increase compared to 59 million zlotys in 2023. Such results testify to the dynamic development of the company and the growing demand for Polish-made armament products.
Mesko S.A. plans to further increase its production capacity for PPZR Piorun, aiming to reach the level of 1500-2000 units per year. At the same time, work is underway on a new version of the system, dubbed Piorun 2, which is expected to offer even better combat performance. As part of its investment in the development of 155mm caliber ammunition production, the company has purchased a property in Kraśnik, which will allow it to increase its production capacity to 100,000 units. In addition, the Ministry of Defense has earmarked PLN 3 billion for the construction of a modern ammunition factory, of which PLN 2 billion comes from the Ministry of Defense’s Capital Investment Fund.
International interest
The PPZR Piorun is attracting growing interest in foreign markets. The systems have already been introduced into the introduced into the standard equipment of the of the armed forces of Poland, Ukraine, Estonia and Lithuania. In 2023, Norway placed an order for the Piorun, and a small number have also been exported to the United States. Interest in this Polish MANPAD system has been significantly boosted by its high effectiveness in the ongoing war in Ukraine, where the Pioruns have been used both during the day and at night, thanks to a night module that other portable launchers do not have.
Secretary of State at the Ministry of Defense, Pawel Bejda, expressed hope for further development of the Piorun PPZR production, pointing to the huge demand for the system worldwide. The production capacity is planned to reach 5,000 units, and then 10,000, which would be a significant step in the development of the Polish arms industry. In addition, advanced work is being carried out on new guidance systems for the set with the aim of implementing a new generation of PIORUN NG missiles with greatly expanded combat capabilities, as well as a GRZMOT set with an increased range of up to 12 km.
Source: portalobronny.se.pl / Photo: geekweek.interia.pl, pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/PPZR_Piorun
