SKARŻYSKO-KAMIENNA, Poland — May 21, 2026 : Polish defense manufacturer MESKO S.A. has increased production of its Piorun man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) missiles to more than six units per day as international demand for the combat-proven system continues to expand across Europe and NATO member states.
The production increase was reported by Polish military analyst Jarosław Wolski after visiting the company’s manufacturing facility in Skarżysko-Kamienna. According to Wolski, the missiles are assembled manually from machine-produced components, with current daily output now exceeding six missiles.
Production Expansion and SAFE Program Support
MESKO is reorganizing its production lines to sustain higher manufacturing rates while simultaneously fulfilling domestic military contracts and growing export orders. The company is also preparing for future procurement projects expected under the European Union’s SAFE defense initiative.
The SAFE (Security Action for Europe) program is a €150 billion European Union defense financing mechanism designed to accelerate military production and procurement among member states. Earlier in May 2026, Poland became the first EU member state to formally join the initiative after securing a €43.7 billion defense loan aimed at supporting defense modernization and industrial expansion.
A significant portion of the funding is expected to support domestic defense companies, including MESKO, enabling additional investment in missile manufacturing infrastructure and long-term production capacity.
Piorun System Capabilities
The Piorun, meaning “Thunderbolt” in Polish, is an upgraded version of Poland’s earlier Grom MANPADS. The system is designed to engage low-flying aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
During the modernization process, the sensitivity of the missile’s infrared homing seeker was increased fourfold compared to the previous Grom system. The upgraded seeker improves target detection range while increasing resistance to infrared countermeasures and electronic interference.
The missile carries a 1.82-kilogram warhead equipped with both proximity and impact fuzes. It has an operational range of up to 6,500 meters and can engage targets at altitudes of up to 4,000 meters. The missile reaches a maximum speed of approximately 660 meters per second.
Combat Use and Export Growth
International interest in the Piorun system increased significantly after Poland transferred an undisclosed number of launchers and missiles to Ukraine in early February 2022 following the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The system was subsequently used in combat operations against Russian aircraft, helicopters, and drones, contributing to its growing reputation in the international defense market. Its operational performance, combined with shortages of MANPADS inventories in several countries, has led to a rise in export demand.
MESKO has secured export contracts for the Piorun system from multiple countries, including the United States, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, and Belgium. Recent reports also indicate that France is evaluating the system for potential procurement.
Future MANPADS Development
Alongside efforts to expand current production, Poland is also preparing for future short-range air-defense requirements. The Polish Armaments Agency has launched preliminary market consultations regarding the development and procurement of a next-generation MANPADS intended to eventually replace the Piorun system in Polish military service.
The expansion of Piorun production reflects Poland’s broader effort to strengthen domestic defense manufacturing capacity while supporting increasing European demand for short-range air-defense systems under ongoing regional security modernization programs.
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