The Estonian Centre for Defence Investment has signed an agreement with Polish defence company Mesko for the procurement of the PIORUN short-range man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS).
The deal will see Estonia receive 100 launchers along with 300 missiles, with the first batch scheduled to arrive in mid-2023.
“Procuring these Polish-made PIORUN systems is a leap forward for the Estonian short-range air defence capability, which in turn is an upgrade for Estonian self-defence capability as a whole. In addition, this procurement is also a landmark for our defence cooperation, both in terms of strengthening regional security as well as bilateral cooperation,” said Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur.
“The new air defence systems are a valuable added asset to the Defence Forces’ capability to destroy targets in the air. The PIORUN systems, first and foremost, will increase the mobility and reaction speed of our air defence capabilities. This means we will be better defended at precise locations, where and when it is needed most,” said Deputy Chief of Defence major general Veiko-Vello Palm.
Weighing 16.5 kg, the PIORUN system is a short-range man-portable air defence system made in Poland.
It can hit targets at a distance of over 6000 meters and can be used both in the daytime and at night.
The system is currently in use in Poland and Ukraine, where it has already proven its worth, destroying a number of Russian unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters.
PIORUN
| Type: | Man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS) |
| Country of origin: | Poland |
| Manufacturer: | Mesko |
| In service: | 2019 – present |
| Users: | Poland, Ukraine |
| Weight: | 16.5 kg (loaded) |
| Length: | 1.56 m |
| Diameter: | 72 mm |
| Missile weight: | 10.5 kg |
| Warhead: | High Explosive Fragmentation |
| Warhead weight: | 1.82 kg |
| Engine: | Solid-fuel rocket motor |
| Operational range: | 400 – 6000+ m |
| Maximum speed: | 2,400 km/h (1,500 mph) |
| Guidance: | Infrared homing |
| Launch platform: | Shoulder-fired |
