Kraków 2025-01-14
PPZR Piorun anti-aircraft missile.
The PPZR Piorun missile is a portable anti-aircraft missile system (PPZR), which was developed by the Polish company MESKO. The missile is used to combat aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. The PPZR Piorun missile entered service in 2019. The portable platform is a car (combat vehicle) and a foot soldier. The missile is passively guided by infrared. The effective range of fire is 400 – 6,500 m. The effective ceiling for combating targets is 10 – 4,000 m. The missile is used by the armed forces of the following countries: Poland, USA, Ukraine, Estonia, Norway, Slovakia, Georgia, Latvia.
The Piorun portable anti-aircraft missile system (APMS) is manufactured by MESKO. The missile was created as a result of the modernization of the GROM anti-aircraft system, which is why it is sometimes designated GROM-M. The work was carried out in the period 2010-2015. As a result of the modernization, all elements of the system were improved: launch system, sight, guidance head, control system. A proximity fuse was added, which supplemented the impact fuse. The missile can be used at night. The range and effectiveness of fire have been improved. The Piorun APMS uses argon as a cooling agent for the self-guided head detector.
In 2016, the Polish Ministry of National Defense concluded a contract with MESKO for the purchase of 420 launchers and 1,300 missiles for the Polish Armed Forces. The contract was implemented in the period 2017-2021. In 2020, tests of firing PIORUN missiles from Poprad-type self-propelled anti-aircraft missile systems were carried out. The tests were successful. In 2021, PIORUN missiles were included in the PSR-A Pilica anti-aircraft system. In 2021, the cost of one missile and launcher was PLN 600,000. In 2022, as a result of dictator Putin’s aggression against Ukraine, the Polish Armed Forces purchased another batch of missiles, 3,500 units and 600 launchers.
The modernized launcher model received an additional handle that allows the installation of sighting devices to improve target detection. A switch was installed in the launch system that allows the firing of a shot at an approaching or retreating target. A module was added that protects against the use of the missile by unauthorized persons.
PIORUN missiles were used in combat during the war in Ukraine. Ukraine confirmed the use of missiles to shoot down Moscow’s Su-34, Su-25 combat aircraft and Mi-24, Ka-52 helicopters.
T-T PPZR Piorun data: Service 1 soldier. Set weight 16.5 kg. Missile weight 10.5 kg. Warhead weight 1.82 kg. Missile length 1.59 m. Missile diameter 72 mm. Missile speed 660 m/s. Infrared guidance system. Firing range 400 – 6,500 m. Firing ceiling 10 – 4,000 m.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman