During the test, soldiers from Norway’s newly established air defence unit, BLV, launched the Piorun missile into the sky. Although specific details about the target used in the test and the missile’s performance have not been disclosed, the Norwegian military has expressed confidence in the system’s capabilities.
Piorun air defence system enhances Norway’s layered air defence strategy, particularly in countering low-flying enemy helicopters and drones. The system is a crucial addition to Norway’s defence infrastructure, as it forms the first line of defence by forcing potential adversaries to adjust their tactics or reconsider entering Norwegian airspace altogether.
Colonel Jørn Qviller, Commander of the Finnmark Land Defence, emphasized the strategic advantage the Piorun brings: “For the enemy, this means that they must deal with such a threat. They have to fly higher, fly on the flanks, or maybe they won’t even dare to fly at all.”
The Piorun is designed for ease of use, allowing a single soldier to operate it. Its fire-and-forget feature minimizes the risk of counter-fire, making it a formidable tool in Norway’s defence arsenal. The system is capable of engaging targets up to 6.5 kilometers away and at altitudes of up to 4 kilometers.
Norway began receiving these man-portable air defence systems in December 2023, with initial deployments in the northern region of Finnmark. Following the successful live-fire test, the Norwegian Armed Forces plan to distribute the infrared-guided missile systems to other divisions within the army, further strengthening the country’s air defence capabilities.