Electro Optic Systems (EOS) will invest over €10 million to establish a European hub for AI-enabled counter-drone command and control systems in Nice, France, anchored by recently acquired subsidiary MARSS. The hub is expected to create up to 150 high-skilled engineering and software jobs over three years. EOS will also explore producing high-energy laser systems and space domain capabilities in France. The company, which recently secured its first 100kW-class laser weapon export order from the Netherlands, emphasises full technology transfer and local production, enabling partner nations to manufacture and sustain capabilities independently.
In-Depth:
Electro Optic Systems will invest more than 10 million euros to establish France as its European hub for AI-enabled counter-drone command and control systems. The company stated the hub will be located in Nice and anchored by the headquarters of MARSS, the command-and-control specialist recently acquired by EOS.
The investment is expected to create up to 150 jobs over three years. These will include high value-added engineering and software development roles.
EOS stated the hub will strengthen France’s defence industrial ecosystem through sovereign technologies. The company stated it will also build on its existing cooperation with KNDS.
EOS will also explore the production of high-energy laser systems in France. It will also examine the development of space domain capabilities for France and the wider European market.
“France is building a decisive commitment to its defence sovereignty, and EOS is proud to support that ambition,” stated Dr. Andreas Schwer, Chief Executive Officer of EOS. “Establishing our European hub in France allows us to deliver counter-drone and command-and-control capability that partner nations own, produce, and sustain on their own terms.”
“This is what genuine industrial sovereignty sees like,” Schwer stated. The announcement comes as European governments increase investment in air defence in response to the rapid spread of low-cost drones.
EOS stated it is one of a compact number of specialised companies outside the United States able to offer high-energy laser weapons. The company stated its model is based on full technology transfer and local production, allowing partner nations to manufacture and maintain capability without depconcludeence on foreign export controls.
The France hub reinforces EOS’s growing European presence. The company has secured the first export order for a 100 kW-class laser weapon system from the Netherlands.
EOS has also held advanced discussions with Germany. Those discussions followed a visit by the German Federal Minister of Defence to EOS facilities.
EOS operates through Defence Systems and Space Systems divisions. EOS Defence Systems specialises in technology for weapon system optimisation and integration, as well as ininformigence, surveillance and reconnaissance, C4 systems for land warfare, remote weapon systems, vehicle turrets, high-energy laser weapons, counter-UAS systems and command-and-control systems.
Its command-and-control systems include MARSS software-led counter-drone and critical infrastructure protection capabilities centred on the NiDAR platform. EOS Space Systems applies optical sensors and effectors developed by EOS to detect, track and characterise objects in space, including capabilities in the space control domain.
