View source for Piorun (missile)

{{Short description|Polish man-portable air-defense system}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Piorun
| image              = PPZR Piorun Grom-M.jpg
| image_size         = 300
| alt                = 
| caption            = PPZR Piorun missile with launcher
| type               = [[Man-portable air-defense system]]
| origin             = [[Poland]]
<!-- Type selection -->
| is_missile         = yes
<!-- Service history -->
| service            = {{start date|2019}}–present
| used_by            = See [[#Operators|Operators]]
| wars               = [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]]
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           = 
| design_date        = {{start date|2010}}–{{end date|2015}}
| manufacturer       = [[Mesko]]
| unit_cost          = 1.8 million EUR per system <ref>{{cite web |url=https://spravy.pravda.sk/svet/clanok/684008-piorun-a-barak-ake-rakety-protivzdusnej-obrany-chce-slovensko-nakupit |title=Piorun a Barak – aké rakety protivzdušnej obrany chce Slovensko nakúpiť? |date=6 October 2023 |website=Pravda.sk |access-date=26 October 2023 }}</ref>
| production_date    = {{start date|2016}}–present
| number             = 
| variants           = 
<!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         = 
| mass               = {{convert|16.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}} total<br/>{{convert|10.5|kg|lb|abbr=on}} missile
| length             = {{convert|1.596|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| part_length        = 
| width              = 
| height             = 
| diameter           = {{convert|72|mm|in|abbr=on}}
| crew               = 1
<!-- Explosive specifications --> 
| filling            = [[HMX]] with [[aluminium powder]]
| filling_weight     = {{convert|1.82|kg|lb|abbr=on}}
| detonation         = [[Contact fuze|impact fuze]] with a [[Artillery fuze#Time fuzes|delay]] mechanism, and a [[proximity fuze]] for [[C-UAS]]
| yield              = 
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
| primary_armament   = 
| secondary_armament = 
| engine             = [[Solid-fuel rocket]] motor
| engine_power       = 
| pw_ratio           = 
| payload_capacity   = 1
| fuel_capacity      = 
| vehicle_range      = {{convert|400|m|ft|abbr=on}}–{{convert|6.5|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| speed              = {{convert|660|m/s|Mach km/h mph|altitude_m=4,000|abbr=on}}
| guidance           = [[infrared homing]] with [[argon]]-cooled seeker
| steering           = 
<!-- Missiles only -->
| wingspan           = 
| propellant         = 
| ceiling            = {{convert|4|km|ft|abbr=on}}
| altitude           = {{convert|10|m|ft|abbr=on}}–{{convert|4000|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| boost              = 
| accuracy           = 
| launch_platform    = [[MANPADS]]
| transport          = 
<!-- For all -->
| ref                = 
}}

The '''Piorun''' ([[Polish language |Polish:]] "thunderbolt") is a Polish [[man-portable air-defense system]], designed to destroy low-flying aircraft, airplanes, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. The set is a deep modernization of the [[Grom (missile)|PPZR Grom]] set, with an alternative designation of '''Grom-M'''. 

The full name of the system is '''PPZR Piorun''' (pol. Przenośny Przeciwlotniczy Zestaw Rakietowy Piorun).<ref name= ":0">{{Cite web |title=Pierwsze strzelanie Piorunami z Popradów|url= https://www.milmag.pl/news/view?news_id=4886|access-date= 2021-01-03 |website= Milmag |date = December 2020|language= pl}}</ref>

== History ==
The Piorun Portable Anti-Aircraft Missile System is produced by the [[Mesko]] company and was created as a result of the GROM system modernization carried out in 2010–15. As part of the modernization, the effectiveness of the homing warhead was significantly improved by increasing the sensitivity of detection, which increased the distance at which the [[missile]] is able to target and hit the target, increased resistance to interference was obtained, a [[proximity fuze]] was used, an access authorization system and the set for fire was adapted for use in night conditions.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=PPZR Piorun|url= https://wml.wat.edu.pl/instytut-techniki-rakietowej-i-mechatroniki/zaklad-konstrukcji-rakietowych/polska-bron-rakietowa/przenosny-przeciwlotniczy-zestaw-rakietowy-piorun|access-date=2022-03-10 |website= WML | publisher = WAT}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title= Pioruny i nowe Spike już w wojsku |url=https://www.defence24.pl/pioruny-i-nowe-spike-juz-w-wojsku |access-date= 2021-01-03 |website=Defence24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=|title= Umowa na zakup zestawów "Piorun" |url=https://www.gov.pl/web/obrona-narodowa/umowa-na-zakup-zestawow-piorun-4|website=[[Ministry of National Defence (Poland)]]}}</ref>

In 2016, the [[Ministry of National Defence (Poland)|Ministry of National Defence]] signed a contract for the purchase of 420 [[Rocket launcher |launchers]] (launch mechanisms) and 1,300 rockets for the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland, planned for 2017–2020 delivery. Due to delays caused by technical problems with the propulsion system, the delivery of rockets and launch devices began in 2019 after successful testing. In 2020, Piorun missiles were fired from [[Poprad (self-propelled anti-aircraft missile system)|Poprad]] self-propelled anti-aircraft missile systems. The missiles are used not only by [[Poprad (self-propelled anti-aircraft missile system)|Poprad]], but also by anti-aircraft missile and artillery system [[PSR-A Pilica (anti-aircraft system)|PSR-A Pilica]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":0" />

In 2022, Poland announced the rapid supply of Ukraine with Pioruns during the [[2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis|2021–2023 Russo-Ukrainian crisis]]. <ref name="ukraine">{{Cite web |url= https://mil.in.ua/uk/news/polshha-peredaye-ukrayini-novitni-pzrk-perun/ |title= Польща передає Україні новітні ПЗРК "Перун" |date=February 2, 2022 |access-date=February 2, 2022}}</ref>

== Operational history ==
During the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], the [[Armed Forces of Ukraine]] alleged that a number of Russian jet fighters ([[Sukhoi Su-34|Su-34]], [[Sukhoi Su-25|Su-25]]) and helicopters ([[Mil Mi-24|Mi-24]], [[Ka-52]]) were shot down with Piorun missiles.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Gwardia Narodowa Ukrainy: Rosyjski Su-25 zestrzelony Piorunem|url=https://defence24.pl/przemysl/pierwsze-potwierdzone-zestrzelenie-piorunem?fbclid=IwAR1W_1WscREiQUBGBP0xnvNPz3JkqNASEBdInzS3w9zTN1eBJCqeGshTwaQ|author=Maciej Szopa|journal=Defence24|date=2022-03-11|access-date=2022-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Potwierdzony debiut bojowy ppzr Piorun w UkrainieTekst pochodzi z Magazynu Militarnego MILMAG|url=https://milmag.pl/potwierdzony-debiut-bojowy-ppzr-piorun-w-ukrainie/|author=Rafał Muczyński|journal=MilMag|date=2022-03-11|access-date=2022-03-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Polskie Pioruny dowodzą skuteczności na Ukrainie|url=https://radar.rp.pl/rosja/art35847841-polskie-pioruny-dowodza-skutecznosci-na-ukrainie|author=Andrzej Kiński|journal=[[Rzeczpospolita (gazeta)|Rzeczpospolita]]|date=2022-03-11|access-date=2022-03-13}}</ref>

== Operators ==
[[File:Piorun NOR.jpg|thumb| A Piorun model for the Norwegian army]]
[[File:Piorun Users.png|thumb|Map with Piorun users in blue]]<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->
;{{EST}}: 100 launchers with 300 missiles ordered in September 2022.<ref>{{cite news|title=Estonia purchases Piorun anti-aircraft missile systems from Poland|newspaper=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/estonia-purchases-piorun-anti-aircraft-missile-systems-poland-2022-09-07/ |date = 2022-09-07}}</ref>
;{{LAT}}: Undisclosed number ordered by Latvia.<ref name=":2">{{cite web|title=MSPO 2023: More Piorun MANPADS to be Exported!|url=https://defence24.com/industry/mspo-2023-more-piorun-manpads-to-be-exported|date=11 September 2023|access-date=9 December 2023|website=Defence24}}</ref>
;{{NOR}}: Undisclosed number ordered in November 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Forsvarsmateriell kjøper bærbart luftvern til Hæren |url=https://www.fma.no/aktuelt-og-media/2020/forsvarsmateriell-kjoper-baerbart-luftvern-til-haeren |publisher=Forsvarsmateriell |access-date=29 November 2022}}</ref>
;{{POL}}: At least 1,300 missiles were delivered. Another order of 3,500 missiles alongside 600 MANPAD launchers is to be delivered in 2022.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/defense_news_june_2022_global_security_army_industry/poland_orders_600_piorun_manpads_and_3500_suface-to-air_missiles_for_polish_army.html | title=Poland orders 600 Piorun MANPADS and 3,500 surface-to-air missiles for Polish army &#124; Defense News June 2022 Global Security army industry &#124; Defense Security global news industry army year 2022 &#124; Archive News year }}</ref>
;{{SVK}}: 36 launchers chosen in October 2023 for 65.8 million EUR.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-04 |title=Pioruny lecą na Słowację. Znamy szczegóły |url=https://defence24.pl/sily-zbrojne/pioruny-leca-na-slowacje-znamy-szczegoly |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=defence24.pl |language=pl}}</ref> The contract has not been signed yet.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Kiński |first=Andrzej |date=2023-12-12 |title=Pierwsze zestawy Piorun dostarczone Norwegii |url=https://zbiam.pl/pierwsze-zestawy-piorun-dostarczone-norwegii/ |access-date=2024-01-05 |website=Wydawnictwo militarne ZBIAM |language=pl-PL}}</ref>
;{{UKR}}: Undisclosed number delivered in 2022.<ref name = "ukraine"/><ref name="df24" /><ref>{{cite web|title=Kolejne potwierdzenie skuteczności zestawów Piorun na Ukrainie?|url=https://zbiam.pl/kolejne-potwierdzenie-skutecznosci-zestawow-piorun-na-ukrainie/|agency=Wydawnictwo militarne ZBIAM|date=2022-03-11|access-date=2022-03-11|language=pl-PL}}</ref>
;{{USA}}: Undisclosed number ordered in 2022.<ref name="df24" />
;{{LIT}}: The manufacturer announced in 2023 a contract with an undisclosed Baltic state - most likely Lithuania, as the other Baltic countries placed publicly known orders.<ref name=":2" />:
;Mesko has announced a sale to an undisclosed Balkan country in 2023.<ref name=":2" /> The country is alleged to be Moldova.<ref name=":3" />

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="df24">{{cite web|title=Polish Piorun MANPADS Exported to US and Provided to Ukraine. A Success for Mesko Company|url=https://defence24.com/industry/polish-piorun-manpads-exported-to-us-and-provided-to-ukraine-a-success-for-mesko-company|date=11 February 2022|access-date=20 May 2022|website=Defence24}}</ref>
}}

[[Category:Guided missiles of Poland]]
[[Category:21st-century surface-to-air missiles]]
[[Category:Science and technology in Poland]]
[[Category:Polish inventions]]