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Belgium Opts for Polish Piorun MANPADS over US Stinger for Short-Range Air Defense Modernization.
On May 12, 2025, Belgium took a significant step in reinforcing its short-range air defense capabilities by signing a letter of intent to procure between 200 and 300 Polish-made Piorun portable air defense systems. The announcement, published on X by the Polish Ministry of Defense, reflects growing military cooperation between Brussels and Warsaw, at a time when European armed forces are seeking to rapidly address capability gaps exposed by the war in Ukraine. The agreement was signed at the facilities of Mesko, the manufacturer of the Piorun system, during a meeting between Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken and his Polish counterpart Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, underscoring the strategic dimension of the bilateral partnership.
Designed by MESKO, the Piorun features significant technological enhancements in electronics, ergonomics, and countermeasure resistance (Picture source: Army Recognition)
While financial terms and exact delivery timelines were not disclosed, the agreement includes the provision of inert missiles for training, technical support services, and a full training program for Belgian personnel. The initiative aims to ensure both immediate operational readiness and longer-term integration of the system within the Belgian Armed Forces. Belgium currently relies on the French-made Mistral 3 for short-range air defense; the Piorun could serve either as a temporary gap-filler or as a complementary long-term capability to strengthen the resilience of the country’s air defense posture.
The Piorun is a deeply upgraded version of Poland’s Grom system, itself derived from the Soviet 9K38 Igla missile. Designed by MESKO, the Piorun features significant technological enhancements in electronics, ergonomics, and countermeasure resistance. It includes a passive infrared seeker with quadrupled sensitivity, a 1.82 kg fragmentation warhead, and a proximity fuse optimized for drone interception, now a widespread threat on modern battlefields. The missile can engage targets at ranges from 400 to 6,500 meters and altitudes between 10 and 4,000 meters, with a reaction time of 5 to 10 seconds. Notable features include a mini-keyboard for target and mode selection, and a day/night optic system that enables use in degraded visual environments.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Piorun has seen operational use, with Poland reportedly delivering around 1,000 systems according to SIPRI. The system has proven effective against a wide array of aerial threats, including helicopters, ground-attack aircraft, medium-altitude drones, and cruise missiles. Weighing 16.5 kg ready to fire, it is designed for infantry portability and can also be integrated onto light vehicles. Its combination of low weight, operational flexibility, and enhanced electronic warfare resilience makes it suited for both asymmetric operations and high-intensity conflict scenarios.
In parallel, the US-made FIM-92 Stinger system, developed in the 1980s and continuously upgraded, remains the global benchmark in the MANPADS category. Fielded by the US and over 25 allied countries, the Stinger also uses passive infrared guidance in a fire-and-forget configuration. Recent variants, such as the FIM-92E (Block I) and FIM-92J (Block I upgrade), incorporate significant upgrades, including a proximity fuse and improved resistance to countermeasures. The Stinger can engage targets up to 8,000 meters away and at altitudes of up to 3,800 meters, reaching speeds of Mach 2.2. Its 3 kg warhead is among the most powerful in its class, and the system is platform-compatible, including with the Avenger and Linebacker vehicles or in an air-to-air configuration (ATAS) for helicopters.
Polish Army soldiers, fire a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS Piorun), during the exercise Shield 24, April 12, 2024 in Pula, Croatia (Picture source: US DoD)
When compared, the Stinger offers slightly greater range and a mature multi-platform architecture. However, the Piorun stands out for its updated design, improved handling of emerging threats such as drones and electronic warfare environments, and a more intuitive user interface. Its rapid production and delivery capability, along with proven combat performance in Ukraine, make it a credible solution for European forces seeking an immediately deployable short-range air defense system. Though exact pricing details are undisclosed, the Piorun is generally considered more cost-effective than the Stinger, a factor that may weigh heavily for Belgium as it rapidly modernizes under budgetary constraints.
Belgium’s decision to acquire a European-made system also sends a strong political signal in favor of greater strategic autonomy. The choice aligns with a broader effort to Europeanize defense supply chains, as global tensions, US production bottlenecks, and post-COVID logistical challenges drive many countries to diversify procurement sources. By opting for the Piorun over a well-established US system, Brussels is also investing in regional industrial cooperation, partnering with a defense producer whose output has significantly increased in response to wartime demand.
The ministers’ visit to Mesko also highlighted another aspect of Belgian-Polish defense cooperation: joint pilot training for the F-35A fighter. Both nations have recently acquired the fifth-generation aircraft and now participate in shared training programs in the United States, enhancing interoperability. This alignment reflects broader strategic coordination within NATO, particularly as the alliance continues to bolster its defensive posture on the eastern flank.
The agreement between Belgium and Poland for the acquisition of Piorun systems reflects a wider European push to enhance short-range air defense capabilities. It underscores a focus on operational readiness, industrial partnership, and strategic flexibility. As a next-generation system with field-proven utility and modern electronic features, the Piorun offers a balanced mix of effectiveness, availability, logistical simplicity, and alignment with European defense priorities.