Belgium has signed a €137 million deal to purchase 40 Polish Piorun man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS) along with several hundred missiles, with first deliveries expected later this year. Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken confirmed the agreement on Tuesday, highlighting that the Polish-made weapons have already proven their effectiveness in combat during the war in Ukraine.
The Piorun systems, designed to counter drones, low-flying aircraft, and attack helicopters, will be delivered to Belgium’s elite Special Operations Regiment. This unit has awaited this capability for over 15 years.
Francken praised the Polish technology, comparing it to France’s Mistral and the US-made Stinger, and noted that the systems can be operated by infantry or mounted on vehicles.
The deal follows a visit by Francken in May to the Piorun manufacturer Mesko in Skarżysko-Kamienna, where he also signed a military cooperation agreement with Poland’s Defence Minister, Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, outlining Belgium’s intention to acquire between 200 and 300 units.
The Piorun air defence was widely used during combat during the ongoing Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine. 
These Polish-made missiles have been acquired not only by the Polish Armed Forces, but also by all three Baltic states, Norway, and even the United States.
In February, the Mesko factory marked a major milestone with the production of its 3,000th Piorun system.
Source: WNP.pl
Photo: @krzysztof_atek
Tomasz Modrzejewski
