A deal worth approximately 8 billion zlotys (1.85 billion euros) will be financed from the European Union’s “Security Action for Europe” (SAFE) loan instrument.
The signing ceremony in Skarżysko-Kamienna, southern Poland, where Mesko is located, was attended by Poland’s Minister of Defense Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz. He stated that the official executive contract will be finalized within the next two weeks.
More than 80% of the ordered “Piorun” systems will go to the Polish Armed Forces. Three other NATO allies are also participating in this joint purchase: Lithuania, Latvia, and Norway.
“Today we are starting another phase of the SAFE program,” said Deputy Minister of Defense Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka during the event, adding that this agreement marks the beginning of joint procurements under SAFE, after completing independent purchases in May.
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“For the first time, the Armaments Agency is purchasing not only for the Polish army but also acting as a purchasing agent for allied armed forces,” she said.
“Piorun” is a short-range, shoulder-launched anti-aircraft system developed by the Polish industry. It is designed to destroy low-flying aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones. W. Kosiniak-Kamysz praised “Piorun” as an “independent brand” and an important export asset of the Polish defense sector.
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