Aimpoint: aiming for the next 50 years

As we close the 2025 editorial year, it was a good time to speak with the CEO of Swedish sighting specialist Aimpoint, Per Lovatt, on the conclusion of his first year at Aimpoint’s helm. It is also the anniversary of the company’s 50^th year in business, innovating what is substantiated as the first and best red dot sights for a wide range of weapons, from small arms to anti-tank recoilless rifles.

During EnforceTac 2025 in Nuremberg in February and again at the 2025 Association of the US Army show in Washington, DC, in October, ESD’s veteran defence executive specialist, Curtis Hand, spoke with Lovatt about current topics relevant for our readers.

Per Lovatt: Aimpoint’s success has always stemmed from a very simple idea: to build products that people can trust. For the first 25 years the company worked hard to refine a concept that many were initially skeptical of, but the founders continued to develop, improve and learn. That long-term mindset has always been part of Aimpoint’s DNA.

Our major breakthrough came when the US Army adopted our sights. From that point on every product we designed had to meet the toughest requirements – true military-grade standards. When people rely on your products in situations where failure is not an option, trust becomes everything. That trust, built over decades, is the foundation of Aimpoint’s success today.

As for GAIM, it began as an internal initiative at Aimpoint and has grown remarkably well over the years. I’m pleased to see how that early idea has evolved into a successful standalone company within the Sandberg Group. Their development is something we are proud to have been part of.

Lovatt: Aimpoint is known worldwide for reliability and quality. Wherever I go in my role as CEO, I’m met with genuine respect for what this company has achieved. That reputation is not something you inherit lightly. It comes from decades of craftsmanship, innovation, and a relentless focus on the user.

To be entrusted with leading a company with such a strong heritage is both humbling and inspiring. My task is to build on that legacy and ensure that we continue delivering products people can rely on for the next fifty years as well.

ESD: How will you leverage your experience to take the company forward, building on and growing Aimpoint?

Lovatt: Aimpoint is growing, and we are entering a period where we must scale up production to meet a rising global demand. Much of this growth comes from the professional segment, where we see significant long-term potential.

My role is to help the company take the next step: becoming faster, more efficient and even more innovative while staying true to our heritage. We want to remain the first choice for users who need smart, robust and dependable optic solutions – whether for commercial or professional use.

Lovatt: Our R&D team is constantly exploring new technologies. I can’t disclose anything confidential, of course, but it is no secret that artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies are areas we are actively following.

The war in Ukraine has shown that the modern battlefield demands new approaches, particularly in countering drones. That’s why we continue developing capabilities through systems like the FCS14 for heavy weapons and the Acro P-2 9 MOA for tactical shotguns.

At the same time we have invested heavily in a new automated production line for COA. COA is not just a product’ it is a platform. And we see tremendous future potential in that platform.

ESD: GAIM certainly has much value for end users in the police and military. How has it transformed Aimpoint’s business focus in areas like UAV hard kill?

Lovatt: GAIM originated within Aimpoint as a way to simplify training for hunters and sport shooters without using live ammunition. The concept resonated strongly and, as the business grew, it became both practical and natural for GAIM to become an independent company within the Sandberg Group. I’m genuinely happy to see how well they have developed their concept, and I think their success speaks to the strength of the original idea.

Since GAIM now operates as its own company with its own CEO, it does not influence Aimpoint’s business focus directly, but we are proud of the role we played in its early development and I’m glad to see the team exploring new opportunities also within the professional segment.

ESD: What has been the level of interest in using Aimpoint sights for counter-UAV hard kill?

Lovatt: Interest is increasing rapidly. Today, you will not find a single defence or security exhibition that does not focus heavily on drones. The pace of development is extraordinary and there is no single technology that solves every challenge. Counter-UAV work requires a multi-layered approach.

For Aimpoint, there are currently two main areas: first, our FCS14 system, which enables precise engagements with weapons such as 40 mm grenade launchers with airburst capability; second, we believe that tactical shotguns will play an increasingly important role as a last line of defence. At close range nothing is as effective, and a red-dot sight dramatically increases the probability of a hit.

When we saw the demand, we went from concept to a working prototype of the Acro P-2 9 MOA in just four weeks. It is now available on the market and the interest has been significant.

ESD: How will Aimpoint increase its technical expertise to sustain its growth for the next 50 years?

Lovatt: We are expanding, and we continue recruiting new talent across the entire company – not only within R&D but also in production. All Aimpoint sights are designed and manufactured in Sweden, at our facilities in Malmö and Gällivare, and this integrated approach is a key part of our identity.

Attracting people with the right skills is essential, but equally important is offering an environment where innovation and craftsmanship can thrive. Whether you are an engineer, a designer, or part of our highly skilled production teams, we want Aimpoint to be a place where you can push boundaries and contribute to world-class solutions.

That is how we prepare for the next 50 years.

ESD: Thank you, sir, for your time and insights.