Australia’s Electro Optic Systems (EOS) announced on 6 August 2025 that it has secured an order for a drone defence capability using new 100 kW high-energy laser technology.
EOS did not divulge which country had ordered the system, or how many systems have been ordered, but noted that the order is valued at EUR 71.4 million and was placed by “a European NATO member state” for integration into a multi-layered air defence system.
The contract requires production and delivery of the capability, as well as spare parts, training and documentation. The order will be fulfilled in the 2025-2028 timeframe by EOS in Singapore.
EOS already produces counter-drone systems that use traditional kinetic weapons as effectors; its new high-energy laser system builds on these core competencies and substantially extends them, providing a system that can defend against drone swarm attacks at an economical cost.
The EOS High-Energy Laser Weapon, which is mobile and intended for deployment on a truck, has undergone testing in close collaboration with customers. To ensure high performance, the system is supplied with algorithms as well as threat detection, target acquisition and beam-locking systems.
Dr Andreas Schwer, CEO at EOS, was quoted in a company press release as saying, “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 kW-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,” said Schwer. “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,” Schwer added.
