Sweden has finalized a contract with Polish defense firm Mesko for the purchase of Piorun man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS). The agreement, valued at approximately 3 billion kronor ($320 million), calls for deliveries to begin in 2027 and marks a significant step in strengthening Sweden’s very short-range air defense (VSHORAD) capabilities.
The deal follows a series of negotiations, beginning with a letter of intent signed in March 2025 and a preliminary order in June. It comes as part of Stockholm’s broader effort to modernize its armed forces, which also includes the June announcement of a 9 billion kronor ($930 million) purchase of Germany’s IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defense system. Together, these acquisitions enhance Sweden’s layered air defense posture.
The Piorun, designed and built in Poland, has been continuously refined based on combat feedback and operational experience. Weighing 19.5 kilograms, the system can strike aerial targets—including aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles—at ranges up to 6,500 meters and altitudes of 4,000 meters. Equipped with both a day sight and a thermal vision sight, it enables operations in all weather and lighting conditions. A proximity fuze further increases its effectiveness against fast-moving targets.
Sweden’s acquisition also reflects growing international interest in the Polish-made system. The Piorun has already been procured by the United States, Belgium, Norway, and Estonia, and gained prominence after being widely supplied to Ukraine in 2022. First fielded by Polish forces in 2019, it is now regarded as a proven, combat-tested solution for countering aerial threats.
