New Delhi: Australian company Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited announced that it has secured an order for a drone defence capability using a new 100kW high energy laser technology.
EOS is already a global leader in counter-drone capability using traditional kinetic weapons to bring down drones. The new high energy laser builds on these core competencies and substantially extends them.
The order is valued at €71.4 million (approximately A$125 million) and was placed by a European NATO Member State. It requires production and delivery of capability, as well as spare parts, training and documentation. The world-first export order will be fulfilled during 2025-2028 by EOS in Singapore.
The laser system has undergone testing in close collaboration with customers. The system is mobile, for deployment on a truck. To ensure high performance, the system is supplied with algorithms, threat detection, target acquisition and beam locking systems. The system will be integrated into a multi-layered air defence system as part of the project.
EOS has created this new high energy laser capability to address the critical market need to defend against drone swarm attacks at an economical cost.
As the threat posed by drones is expected to continue to grow both in the military and civil domains, there is an urgent need for effective counter-drone solutions and global demand is growing rapidly. EOS’ high power laser system provides the solution as it will be used to protect high value assets – including military assets as well as civilian assets such as power stations, oil refineries, cities, headquarters.
Historically, missile systems have been used to destroy drones, at a cost of US$ 0.5 m – US$ 2.0 m per shot fired. EOS’ laser system costs less than 10 cents per shot, with a range of up to 6 km. Further, the laser system can shoot down many more targets than missiles, and lasers can also shoot directly upwards, which ballistics (bullets and missiles) often cannot do. Effective drone defence needs a ‘layered’ systems of multiple defence weapons, including EOS traditional cannon system (‘Slinger’); laser systems; rocket systems and longer-range missiles.
Dr Andreas Schwer, Chief Executive Officer at EOS, said, “In a world of geopolitical uncertainty and ongoing regional tensions, the ability to swiftly and accurately detect, track and defeat drones is paramount. This is the world’s first export order for a 100-kilowatt class laser defence system. The order follows extensive and ongoing marketing, sales and customer demonstration activity by the EOS team.”
“Our new world-leading laser weapon system has the ability to engage targets instantly. The laser hits the target at the speed of light, unlike a bullet which can take a second or two to get there. The system is very accurate and has a very low cost-per-shot – less than 10 cents per shot. The high power level of this system means it can shoot down more drones faster. The system has been designed to shoot down 20 drones per minute,” he added.
The laser system uses lasers and amplifies them to high power levels, then combines multiple laser beams together. It is capable of tracking targets very accurately – this is critical – and keeps the laser beam on the target. The target is often moving very fast, so this uses complex algorithms and software. The light energy typically degrades the drone target in 1-2 seconds, depending on the size and distance of the drone. As the system is powered by electricity, it does not need traditional ‘ammunition’, meaning it can have a technically unlimited magazine. The EOS’ laser system is a mobile system and will be deployed on a truck.
EOS believes that laser weapons will continue to emerge on the battlefield, and that over time they will become more powerful, smaller and more mobile.
EOS operates in two divisions: Defence Systems and Space Systems. For decades, EOS has designed, developed, and built the world’s most accurate and highest precision remote weapon systems. EOS’ Defence Systems specialises in technology for weapon systems optimisation and integration. Its key products include next-generation remote weapon systems, vehicle turrets, high-energy laser weapons, as well as fully integrated and modular counter-UAS. The Space Systems specialises in applying EOS-developed optical sensors and effectors to detect, track and characterise objects in space. It includes capabilities in the domain of space control.
The EOS team will be at the DSEI 2025 Defence Exhibition & Trade Show at ExCeL London, from September 9-12. EOS experts will be available to discuss their new high energy laser capability and how layered counter-drone solutions, with multiple types of weapon, are essential to counter rapidly evolving battlefield threats.
