The Norwegian Armed Forces demonstrated its new “Piorun” man-portable air defense system during its first-ever live-fire test.
The trial, which took place in a region bordering Russia, saw Norwegian soldiers from a new air defense unit called BLV shooting the weapon upwards.
It was not immediately clear what was used as a representative target or if the missile was able to achieve all its test objectives.
However, the Norwegian military said the Piorun provides a “significant boost to our layered air defense” and will cause enemies to reconsider entering the country’s airspace.
“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,” Finnmark Land Defence Commander Colonel Jørn Qviller said.
The Norwegian Army's first live-fire test with the new MANPADS enhances our defence against drones and helicopters. Now deployed in Finnmark, with plans to expand, Piorun forces enemies to reconsider entering Norwegian airspace. A significant boost to our layered air defence. pic.twitter.com/4igv4uEv7H
— Norwegian Armed Forces | Forsvaret (@Forsvaret_no) August 16, 2024
First Layer of Defense
The Piorun (lightning in English) will become a part of Oslo’s layered approach to neutralizing low-flying enemy helicopters and drones.
It is designed to form the first layer of defense, with the aim of forcing enemies to alter their tactics or abandon their missions.
The weapon can be operated by a single soldier and has a fire-and-forget feature to avoid enemy counter-fire.
It can reportedly hit targets up to 6.5 kilometers (4 miles) away at altitudes reaching 4 kilometers (2.5 miles).
The Norwegian Armed Forces began receiving the man-portable systems in December 2023 and has since stationed them in the northern region of Finnmark.
After the live-fire test, the country plans to distribute the infrared-guided missile to other army divisions.
