Combat-Proven Polish Piorun Portable Air Defense Missile Draws Global Attention at WDS 2026.

Polish defense officials at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh confirmed rising global demand for the Piorun MANPADS, citing strong export interest from multiple regions. Its recent combat performance and effectiveness against modern aerial threats are reshaping short-range air defense procurement priorities worldwide.

Poland’s Piorun man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) emerged as one of the most discussed ground-based air defense weapons at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, according to Polish defense officials and industry representatives attending the event. Marketed as a flagship product of Poland’s land-based air defense sector, the shoulder-fired missile system attracted sustained attention from military delegations representing the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, underscoring what Polish officials described as a sharp increase in export interest tied to its battlefield record and adaptability to evolving low-altitude air threats.
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Piorun MANPADS displayed on the Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa booth at World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, where the combat-proven Polish short range air defense system attracted strong interest from international military delegations seeking modern MANPADS capabilities. (Picture source: Army Recognition Group)

Developed by the Polish Company Mesko SA with support from Poland’s defense research community, the Piorun MANPADS is an advanced evolution of the earlier Grom system, redesigned to meet the demands of modern high-intensity and asymmetric warfare. The system is optimized to engage low-altitude aerial threats, including fixed-wing aircraft, attack helicopters, cruise missiles, and a wide range of unmanned aerial systems. With an effective engagement range of up to 6.5 kilometers and an altitude ceiling of approximately 4 kilometers, the Piorun MANPADS occupies the upper performance tier of contemporary MANPADS solutions.

A central focus of discussions at WDS 2026 was the Piorun MANPADS infrared homing seeker, which incorporates significantly improved sensitivity and resistance to infrared countermeasures. The seeker is engineered to detect targets with reduced thermal signatures, including small drones and low-observable cruise missiles, even in complex background conditions. Combined with an upgraded proximity fuze and an enhanced fragmentation warhead, the missile offers a high probability of kill against fast, maneuvering, and evasive aerial targets.

Combat use has become a defining factor in the global reputation of the Piorun MANPADS. The system has been employed extensively in real operational conditions during ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe, where it has been credited with multiple successful engagements against helicopters, low-flying aircraft, and unmanned platforms in battlefield assessments. Defense analysts present in Riyadh noted that this verified operational record has positioned the Piorun MANPADS as a low-risk procurement option for armed forces seeking immediately effective short-range air defense capabilities.

From the operator’s perspective, the Piorun MANPADS maintains the fundamental advantages of man-portable air defense while introducing meaningful improvements in ergonomics and survivability. The launcher integrates a modern-day and night sighting unit, an identification friend or foe interface, and simplified engagement procedures that reduce reaction time under combat stress. With a total combat weight of approximately 16.5 kilograms, the system remains highly mobile and well-suited for infantry units, special forces, and territorial defense formations that require dispersed, autonomous air defense coverage.

Strategically, the popularity of the Piorun MANPADS reflects a broader shift in air defense doctrine toward decentralized, layered protection against low-altitude threats. At WDS 2026, Polish representatives emphasized that many armed forces are seeking passive, soldier-operated systems capable of operating effectively in environments dominated by electronic warfare and precision strike threats. The Piorun MANPADS, relying on passive infrared guidance and minimal electromagnetic emissions, aligns closely with these operational requirements.

Industrial momentum was also evident at the exhibition, with Polish officials confirming expanded production capacity to support growing export demand while sustaining deliveries to the Polish Armed Forces. Numerous delegations were observed engaging in detailed technical exchanges with Mesko engineers, focusing on training solutions, lifecycle support, and integration within broader short-range air defense architectures. This surge in interest positions the Piorun MANPADS as a key driver of Poland’s expanding footprint in the global defense export market.

When compared with other widely deployed MANPADS, such as the US-made FIM-92 Stinger or the Russian 9K38 Igla (NATO designation SA-25), the Piorun distinguishes itself through a combination of modernized sensing technology and battlefield adaptability. While the Stinger remains highly effective and benefits from decades of NATO integration, many variants in current service rely on older seeker technologies that were primarily optimized for high-thermal-sig aircraft. The Piorun MANPADS seeker, by contrast, is specifically tuned to counter low-signature targets and incorporates improved counter-countermeasure logic for environments saturated with flares and infrared jamming.

Compared with the Russian SA-25 MANPADS, the Piorun MANPADS offers notable advantages in seeker sensitivity, fuze technology, and operator interface. The SA-25, derived from Cold War-era design philosophy, remains lethal against conventional targets but shows limitations against modern drones and cruise missiles that emit reduced infrared. Piorun’s proximity fuze and refined fragmentation pattern significantly enhance lethality, even during near-miss engagements, an area where older systems rely more on direct impact. Additionally, the integration of a modern IFF system and night engagement capability gives Piorun a tactical edge in complex coalition and low-visibility operations.

Taken together, these unique features position the Piorun MANPADS as a bridge between legacy MANPADS and next-generation short-range air defense solutions. Its ability to outperform older systems in counter-UAS and low observable threat scenarios, while remaining simpler and more cost-effective than heavier SHORAD platforms, explains its growing popularity among armed forces seeking a proven, future-ready man-portable air defense capability.

The strong presence of the Piorun MANPADS at WDS 2026 underscores its transformation from a national air defense asset into a globally recognized benchmark for modern MANPADS design. Its combination of proven battlefield effectiveness, advanced seeker technology, and soldier-focused usability has elevated it to the forefront of short-range air defense systems worldwide, reinforcing Poland’s growing influence in the international defense industry.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.