Poland and three NATO allies sign 8 billion PLN deal for Piorun missiles

Framework agreement signed in Skarżysko-Kamienna

On Monday, 24 August 2026, Poland's Armament Agency signed a framework agreement with manufacturer Mesko at its production facilities in Skarżysko-Kamienna in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. The agreement covers the production and delivery of several thousand Piorun man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), alongside launch mechanisms, simulators, training packages, and logistical support. Representatives of Lithuania, Latvia, and Norway joined Polish officials for the signing. The total value of the framework agreement is 8 billion PLN, with more than 80% of the ordered systems allocated to the Polish Armed Forces and the remaining share designated for the allied partner nations. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz attended the event, describing the system as an export brand developed through Polish engineering.

Joint procurement mechanism under the SAFE programme

The contract is financed through the European Union's SAFE programme, a low-interest credit line established for defense and security expenditures. Prior to the end of May 2026, individual member states could secure funding for standalone national contracts. Under current SAFE rules, financing requires a joint contract uniting at least two purchasing nations for an identical model of equipment. Norway participates in the mechanism as a member of the European Economic Area despite not holding EU membership. The agreement marks the first time that Poland's Armament Agency has acted as a procurement intermediary for foreign allied militaries alongside domestic forces. Executive delivery contracts that define specific financing tranches and schedules are scheduled for completion within several days. Deputy Minister of National Defence Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka addressed the cooperative structure during the ceremony.

For the first time, the Armament Agency is making purchases not only for the Polish army, but is also acting as an intermediary in purchases for the armies of allies.

Operational capabilities and combat performance

The Piorun is a very-short-range portable anti-aircraft missile system designed for single-operator use, weighing approximately 17 kilograms in firing configuration. It operates as an infrared-guided system targeting low-flying aerial threats, including drones, cruise missiles, helicopters, and tactical fixed-wing aircraft. Military expert Andrzej Kiński noted that the system's seeker intelligence allows target discrimination amidst electronic interference and difficult atmospheric conditions. The effective operational range reaches up to 6.5 kilometres at altitudes between 4 and 4.5 kilometres against targets with high thermal emissions, with shorter engagement distances for lower thermal signatures. The Polish system corresponds to the American Stinger and Russian Igla and Verba systems in functional classification. Kiński described the automated targeting sequence built into the launcher.

It is a fire-and-forget system. When the seeker captures the target, the operator receives a signal in the sight and acoustic information. After pressing the start button, the entire tracking and strike process takes place automatically without further participation.

Combat deployment in Ukraine and export trajectory

The Piorun system has seen active operational deployment during the war in Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces used it against various Russian airborne systems. Documented intercepts include Orlan-10 and Orlan-30 reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles, Kh-101 cruise missiles, Ka-52 attack helicopters, and Su-34 tactical bombers. The newly signed framework agreement follows an initial 11 August announcement by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who outlined an initial 7 billion PLN allocation for Poland's domestic inventory. Further discussions regarding domestic defense manufacturing and modernization are scheduled for the Industry for Defence conference on 14 October 2026 at the International Congress Centre in Katowice.