Sweden has signed a contract to purchase the Polish-made Piorun man-portable air defense system (MANPADS), expanding its inventory of short-range air defense capabilities.
The deal was announced by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) in a statement on September 9.
According to FMV, the agreement was finalized in July and is valued at approximately 3 billion Swedish kronor—about 270 million euros. The delivery of the systems is set to begin in the first quarter of 2026 and will be completed by 2027. The exact number of units ordered was not disclosed.
The systems will be supplied by Mesko, a subsidiary of the Polish state-owned defense conglomerate PGZ. FMV had previously signed a letter of intent with the manufacturer in March 2025 regarding a possible acquisition of the system.
The Piorun, meaning “thunderbolt” in Polish, is an improved variant of the Grom MANPADS, originally introduced to the Polish Armed Forces in 1995. Development of the Piorun began in 2010 with the goal of enhancing seeker performance, warhead effectiveness, and engagement range. The system also incorporates improvements in software and resistance to electronic countermeasures.
The Piorun weighs 18.5 kilograms and is designed to engage low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and drones at altitudes ranging from 10 to 4,000 meters, with a maximum engagement range of 6,500 meters.
The Swedish order follows previous purchases by other NATO and partner nations.
According to Hartpunkt, all three Baltic states have procured the Piorun system. The United States has also acquired a limited number for testing, while Norway received its first batch in December 2023.
Ukraine has used the system in combat, employing units delivered by Poland as part of its military assistance program during the ongoing war with Russia. Georgia joined the list of operators earlier this year.
In a statement, FMV said the new acquisition is part of Sweden’s broader effort to strengthen national defense and meet evolving security challenges through the integration of modern and combat-proven systems.
Mesko, part of PGZ, continues to expand its international footprint with the Piorun system, now fielded across Eastern Europe and tested by NATO members. The order from Sweden further underscores the growing demand for portable, reliable air defense systems in light of shifting threat environments across Europe.
