The equivalent of about PLN 1.1 billion will be paid by Sweden for a batch of portable anti-aircraft Lightning rocket kits. It is another abroad contractor, who applies for the flagship product of Mesko SA. Lightning has already been purchased by Americans, Norwegians, Estonians and late Belgians. Implementation of the contract for Sweden will begin in 2026.
The Swedes have been curious in Lightning for any time. In March of that year, the Swedish Defence Procurement Agency (FMV) signed a letter of intent on their purchase. At the same time, a tiny test organization went to the army there. The test was successful adequate that FMV decided to finalise the transaction. Today, a contract was signed for the supply of equipment for 3 billion Swedish crowns. It's the equivalent of about PLN 1.1 billion. "Supplies will start early in 2026," he wrote on the X portal Mr Pal Jonson, Minister for Defence of Sweden.
Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamish already referred to the case. Poland becomes an exporter of weapons. We have partners who want to buy from us, which is highly important, even in the context of the money obtained from the EU SAFE programme. The EU funds are not only for the Polish military to get more equipment, although of course the issue remains the most crucial one, but besides for arms plants to develop. And the arms manufacture will shortly become the engine of the Polish economy – he emphasized Head of the MON.
Renata Gruszczyńska, president of Mesko SA, besides mentioned the importance of the contract. – Lightning is an example of a product that combines innovation, reliability and experience gained from the real battlefield. This is the consequence of teams of engineers and specialists who have been building the position of Mesko in the global marketplace for years. Today's agreement confirms that the company is effectively developing as part of the Polish Armed Forces Group and makes a real contribution to the safety of allied states," Gruszczyńska emphasises.
PPZR Lightning is 1 of the hits of Polish armory. A rocket rocket weighing 10.5 kg and a diameter of 72 millimetres is fired from a portable launcher. It is utilized to combat aircraft, helicopters and drones at a distance of up to 6.5 kilometres and heights of 10 metres to 4 kilometres. They learned about his qualities, among others. Ukrainian Army operators fighting Russian aggression. The systems of Mesko SA alongside soldiers of the Polish Army besides usage Norway, Estonians is Latvian. Lightning was besides purchased by the United States and Belgium.
At present, Mesko releases about a 1000 launchers per year, making the plant the largest maker of this kind of weapons in NATO. Production levels are steadily increasing. This year it should scope 1,200 copies.
Meanwhile, the company is already working on a fresh generation of projectiles. Lightning 2 will be equipped with a modified guidance head, alleged proportional block and fresh warhead. This will make it faster, more maneuverable and more resistant to interference caused by the opponent. For now, the company is conducting investigation and development. “If this year we manage to sign an agreement with the Armed Forces Agency, in 2028 the first Lightning 2 should go to our Polish recipient”, said Zbigniew Drabik, manager of the Mesko SA Rocket Division, announced at the Kielce Defence Fair.
