Soldiers from the Baltic States, Canada and Sweden fired combat ammunition for air usage during the “Baltic Zenith ’26” exercise. The maneuvers that took place in Latvia included Polish anti-aircraft Grom rocket kits. As the allies admit, the arms of Polish production plays a crucial function in the Baltic Sea Region's air defence system.
The global exercise "Baltic Zenith 2026" took place in early June at the seaside camp in confederate Kurland (Latvia). The maneuvers were attended by soldiers from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, as well as quotas from Sweden and Canada, which are part of the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia. The aim of the exercise was, among others, to check the effectiveness of short-range anti-aircraft defence systems in combating unmanned aircraft.
Lithuanian airmen fired combat ammunition from Swedish RBS 70 NG rocket kits and Polish Gromów. The fire to the drones on the Baltic besides opened, among others, the Lvkv 90 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and the combat CV90 infantry cars in the colours of the Swedish army. The shootings were carried out both day and night. This made it possible to check anti-aircraft systems and procedures in place under different conditions. The training besides verified the preparation of arms crews for the detection, tracking and combating of air purposes in akin conditions to the actual ones.
In fresh years, countries in the Baltic Sea region have consistently strengthened the lowest layer of air defence, focusing on both Scandinavian and Polish solutions. The portable anti-aircraft Grom rocket kits produced by Mesko have been equipped for years Lithuanian armywho first ordered them in 2014. The contract worth more than €34 million included launchers, rockets, training equipment and logistics package. The first deliveries began in the same year. The posses were to increase the anti-aircraft defence capabilities of tiny subdivisions of the ground troops and peculiar forces units.
Three years ago Lithuanian Ministry of Defence signed another contract with the Polish company For the Grom rocket delivery. The rockets went to the Lithuanian armed forces warehouses in 2025, replenishing anti-aircraft ammunition supplies.
Although Lithuania inactive buys Groma, it is besides curious in their successor – the Lightning system. In November 2024 Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Norway signed a letter of intent concerning joint acquisition of Polish sets of very short scope Lightning. Modern launchers, which have become a Mesko export hit, are equipped, among others, with an improved guidance head and a detonator with a proximity sensor that increases the effectiveness of combating air targets. A common interest in Lightning from respective countries shows a wider trend. NATO's east flank countries are increasingly building a regional air defence strategy based on compatible solutions.
PPZR Thunder is designed to combat air purposes, including aircraft, helicopters and another infrared radiation emitting targets, up to 5500 m and up to 3,500 m high. The Grom rocket is equipped with a shrapnel-storming warhead (FRAG-HE). The weight of the set is 18.5 kg.
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