Georgia signs contract with Poland to acquire Piorun-M MANPADS air defence missile systems.

On January 12, the Georgian Ministry of Defense announced that Poland signed a contract for the purchase of the Piorun-M MANPADS from the Polish company MESKO SA.
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Polish Piorun-M MANPADS Man Portable Air Defense Missile System at MSPO defense exhibition in Poland. (Picture source Army Recognition Group)

According to this report, Georgia's Deputy Minister of Defense and representatives from the Polish company MESKO S.A. engaged in significant discussions highlighting the strategic importance of integrating modern NATO-standard weaponry into Georgia's defense system. Additionally, both parties deliberated on the future collaborative endeavors between the Georgian Ministry of Defense and MESKO S.A., setting the stage for an enhanced defense partnership.

Military cooperation between Poland and Georgia is deeply rooted in history and has significantly evolved, especially since the reestablishment of diplomatic relations in the early 1990s. The bond between the two nations was strengthened during World War II when Georgian military officers joined the Polish Army. In contemporary times, this relationship has transformed into a strategic partnership, underpinned by shared values and mutual interests in defense and security. Poland's unwavering support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity was prominently displayed during the Russo-Georgian War in 2008, establishing Poland as a key ally and supporter of Georgia.

The defense collaboration between the two countries has been marked by significant developments, such as Georgia's acquisition, reflecting Georgia's commitment to modernizing its military in line with NATO standards. This purchase serves to replace the existing stock of 100 GROM-2 units bought by Georgia from Poland in 2007.

Poland plays a vital role in supporting this endeavor, emphasizing its role as a crucial ally in Georgia's path towards European and Euro-Atlantic integration. This military cooperation is not just confined to arms deals but extends to broader aspects of defense and security, aligning with shared goals and strategic interests. This multifaceted relationship underscores the enduring and dynamic partnership between Poland and Georgia in the realm of defense and security.

The Piorun-M, also called GROM-M and colloquially termed "Thunder," represents an advanced iteration of the GROM MANPADS (MAN-Portable Air-Defense Systems). Developed by the Polish company MESKO, this system is a modernized successor to the Soviet-era 9K38 Igla (SA-18 Grail).

Featuring a new missile equipped with an updated warhead, the Piorun MANPADS boasts an effective range between 400 meters and 6 kilometers, capable of engaging targets at altitudes ranging from a minimum of 10 meters up to a maximum of 4 kilometers. The missile itself weighs 2 kilograms and is designed for enhanced effectiveness against small-sized aerial targets, including UAVs, thanks to its proximity fuse. Even under conditions of jamming, the Piorun's missile maintains a significant hit probability of 10%.

Defense News January 2024