The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) has delivered the Piorun man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS) developed by the Polish defence company Mesko to the Estonian Defence Forces.
The Piorun MANPADS is a modernised version of the GROM MANPADS and is designed to destroy low-flying fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Capable of hitting targets up to eight kilometres away, the Piorun has been in use with Polish and Ukrainian armed forces, proving its reliability and being one of the most successful weapon systems in the Ukrainian war.
“Piorun air defence missiles provide additional air defence not only to maneuver units but also to objects that are not in the immediate vicinity of the front line but are located further in the rear, yet are important from the perspective of Estonia’s defence,” said Lieutenant Colonel Tanel Lelov, Head of the Air and Missile Defence Section of the Estonian Division.
“In Ukraine, these missiles have proven to be effective against most airborne attack means, and certainly, the principles of their use there will be taken into account in training and employing Estonian units,” he added.
In the autumn of 2022, ECDI signed a framework agreement with Mesko for the delivery of the Piorun system to Estonia. Despite the challenging security situation, high demand, and component shortages, Mesko was able to fulfil its contractual obligations. Ramil Lipp, Strategic Category Manager (Armaments) at ECDI, praised Mesko’s commitment to the project and the Polish state for their support.
