Australia’s Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited (EOS) has achieved a milestone in drone defence technology.

The company announced a €71.4 million (approximately A$125 million) contract to supply a 100kW high-energy laser weapon system designed to neutralise drone swarms.

The order comes from a European NATO Member State and is the first export deal of its kind anywhere in the world.

EOS will deliver a complete mobile counter-drone capability, including production, spare parts, training, and documentation, between 2025 and 2028. Manufacturing will take place at the company’s facility in Singapore.

A leap in drone defence technology

EOS is already known globally for its counter-drone solutions that use kinetic weapons. The new system marks a major leap forward. It can neutralise up to 20 drones per minute with laser strikes that travel at the speed of light.

The truck-mounted laser system is fully mobile and designed to integrate with multi-layered air defence systems. It combines advanced algorithms, radar, threat detection, target acquisition technology, and beam locking for maximum accuracy.

“This is the world’s first export order for a 100-kilowatt class laser defence system,” said Dr Andreas Schwer, CEO of EOS. “Our laser weapon system delivers unmatched speed and accuracy, with each shot costing less than ten cents. In today’s uncertain geopolitical climate, the ability to instantly detect and defeat aerial threats is mission-critical.”

EOS developed the laser to meet urgent global demand for affordable solutions against mass drone attacks. Such attacks have become a growing threat on modern battlefields, where conventional defences can be costly and slow to respond.

Years of testing and strategic development

The high-energy is the result of three years of field testing and multiple live firing trials carried out in close collaboration with customers. These trials ensured the system could operate effectively in a variety of environments and conditions.

EOS has invested heavily in refining its beam control technology to make sure the laser maintains precision over long distances. This includes advanced beam locking systems that keep targets fixed even when moving rapidly.

The order is the outcome of extensive marketing, demonstrations, and ongoing engagement with potential customers. EOS showcased the technology’s performance in live scenarios, convincing the buyer of its capability to defend against drone swarms cost-effectively.

The company will present the laser weapon system at DSEI 2025 in London from 9–12 September. Visitors will have the chance to meet EOS experts and learn more about how layered counter-drone solutions are essential in modern defence strategies.

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Strategic importance in a changing defence landscape

The timing of this contract is significant. Global security concerns have shifted towards addressing drone-based threats, which can overwhelm traditional air defence systems. Drone swarms, in particular, present challenges because they can attack from multiple angles at once.

EOS’s laser system offers a rapid-response capability that can engage threats instantly without the high operational costs associated with missile-based defences. Each shot costs less than ten cents, making it far more economical for sustained operations.

The announcement was authorised for release to the ASX by EOS’s Board of Directors. The company now moves forward with production, aiming to meet the delivery schedule between 2025 and 2028, while continuing to develop next-generation defence technologies.