Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (Riigi Kaitseinvesteeringute Keskus) have delivered the Polish PIORUN (Thunderbolt) man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) to the Estonian Defence Forces, significantly enhancing their short-range air defence capability and overall independent defence capability. PIORUN is an air defence weapon system developed in Poland and introduced into service in 2019. It is capable of hitting targets up to eight kilometres away and allows units to operate around the clock. The system is in use both in Poland and Ukraine, where it has proven its reliability, being one of the most successful weapon systems in the Ukrainian war.
In addition to battlefield effectiveness, these air defence systems are much easier to deploy, and operation is manageable after just a few hours of training. The system will be used by a separate war-time unit of the Estonian Defence Forces, which operates under the direct command of the division and is trained based on reservists. This is the first joint defence procurement between Estonia and Poland, with the advantages of quick delivery and a relatively low cost compared to the value of the destroyed target. The technical compatibility of Polish weapon systems, crucial for the security of region, was also a decisive factor.
The framework agreement was signed between ECDI and the Polish defence technology company MESKO S.A. (subsidiary of Polish state-owned defence group PGZ) in the autumn of 2022, with deliveries of the weapon system to Estonia beginning at the turn of the year. “Despite the general security situation, high demand, and component shortages, Mesko has been able to fulfil its contractual obligations, and deliveries have been timely, showing the utmost commitment of the Polish state and our contracting partner,” commented Ramil Lipp, Head of the Armaments Category at ECDI. The development of short-range air defence capabilities cost a total of 103 million euros, including VAT, with the government allocating the sum from Estonia’s military defence reinforcement package.
The full name of the system is PPZR PIORUN (Przenosny Przeciwlotniczy Zestaw Rakietowy Piorun). The set is a deep modernization of the PPZR Grom set, with an alternative designation of Grom-M. The Piorun is produced by the Mesko company and was created as a result of the GROM system modernization carried out in 2010–15. As part of the modernization, the effectiveness of the homing warhead was significantly improved by increasing the sensitivity of detection, which increased the distance at which the missile is able to target and hit the target, increased resistance to interference was obtained, a proximity fuze was used, an access authorization system and the set for fire was adapted for use in night condition
