Ankara: Poland has finalized an 8 billion zloty ($2.2 billion) agreement for the procurement of domestically manufactured Piorun air defense missile launchers and missiles, as reported by Polskie Radio. The contract was signed at the MESKO plant located in Skarzysko-Kamienna, situated in south-central Poland. The agreement encompasses several thousand launchers and missiles, in addition to training and logistics packages.

According to Anadolu Agency, over 80% of the order is intended for the Polish armed forces, while the remaining portion will be distributed to Lithuania, Latvia, and Norway. This distribution is part of the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) program, a loan mechanism designed for joint defense procurement. Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz emphasized that the agreement highlights Poland's expanding influence as a defense producer and exporter. He stated that Poland has the potential to be a significant exporter of military equipment, showcasing leadership not only in defense spending but also in production.

Kosiniak-Kamysz further noted that this agreement marks the first instance where the consortium is composed of allied governments rather than companies. The contract was established between Poland's state Armaments Agency and MESKO SA, a Polish defense manufacturer. The Piorun system is a very short-range air defense solution intended to counter low-flying threats such as aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones.