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.
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. 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