Belgian Special Forces receive first Polish-made Piorun portable air defense missile system.

Belgium’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Special Operations Regiment received its first Piorun MANPADS during a December 23, 2025, ceremony in Heverlee. The delivery reflects a broader shift toward protecting elite ground units against low-altitude aircraft and unmanned aerial threats.

Belgium has formally introduced the Polish-made Piorun man-portable air defense system into its Special Operations Regiment, marking a notable upgrade to the country’s short-range air defense posture. According to information released by the Belgian Ministry of Defence, the first system was handed over on December 23, 2025, during an official ceremony at Heverlee, underscoring growing concern within NATO militaries over the vulnerability of dismounted forces to drones and low-flying aircraft.
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Belgian Special Forces operators conduct a static demonstration of the Piorun man portable air defense system during an integration event in Heverlee, showcasing handling procedures and sighting systems without live missile firing. (Picture source: Belgian MoD)

The Piorun is a Polish-made MANPADS (Man-Portable Air Defense System), a shoulder-launched air defense system designed to destroy a wide range of aerial threats, including fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and winged rockets such as cruise missiles. The system is manufactured by the Polish defense industry, with Mesko S.A. as the main producer. It represents the latest generation of Poland’s portable air defense solutions developed for modern high-intensity conflicts.

At its core, Piorun uses an advanced infrared-guided missile that locks onto the heat signature of aerial targets. The missile is equipped with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead and a fuze with a proximity sensor. This proximity fuze enables the missile to destroy a target even if it passes very close to it, rather than requiring a direct hit, significantly increasing effectiveness against small or fast-moving threats such as drones and low-flying helicopters.

The modernized launcher is a key element of the system’s combat effectiveness. It integrates a standard day sight and a thermal vision sight, enabling operators to engage targets both during daylight and in complete darkness. This night-fighting capability is particularly relevant for special operations forces, which often conduct missions under limited visibility to reduce detection.

The missile set also includes a new start-and-control mechanism that allows the operator to adapt the system to the tactical situation. Before launch, the operator can select pursuit or collision engagement modes, define the target type, and account for weather conditions. The launcher can perform a Friend-or-Foe inquiry to reduce the risk of fratricide and communicate directly with both optical and thermal imaging sights. The system can also be equipped with an authorization device, ensuring controlled use in sensitive operational environments.

In terms of performance, Piorun is designed to engage targets at altitudes ranging from 10 meters to approximately 4,000 meters, covering the flight profiles typically used by attack helicopters, drones, and low-flying aircraft. Its effective engagement distance extends from roughly 400 meters to 6,500 meters, allowing operators to counter threats before they reach weapon release range. The missile travels at an average speed of around 560 meters per second, providing a rapid reaction capability against fleeting targets. The complete missile set weighs approximately 19.5 kilograms, maintaining portability while offering substantial lethality.

The acquisition of Piorun follows a letter of intent signed in May 2025 by Belgium and Poland to strengthen bilateral military cooperation. Under this framework, Belgium committed to purchasing 40 Piorun systems, including their missiles, while also engaging in joint training activities and exchanging expertise on man-portable air defense systems. This cooperation enhances interoperability between the two armed forces and aligns Belgian capabilities with those of other European and NATO partners already operating similar systems.

For the Belgian Special Operations Regiment, the introduction of Piorun provides a long-awaited organic solution to counter aerial threats without reliance on external air defense assets. It also reflects a broader shift within European armed forces toward decentralizing air defense and equipping small tactical units with credible means to defend themselves against aircraft, helicopters, and the rapidly expanding drone threat.

The Belgian Ministry of Defence confirmed that full operational capability will be achieved following live firing exercises and NATO evaluation procedures. As the character of warfare continues to evolve, Belgium’s decision to field the Piorun MANPADS underscores the growing importance of portable, flexible, and technologically advanced air defense systems for protecting ground forces.

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.