Australian defense and space technology group Electro Optic Systems (ASX: EOS) confirmed on June 15, 2026 an investment of more than €10 million to establish France as its European hub for AI-enabled counter-drone command-and-control (C2) systems, anchored by the headquarters of newly acquired MARSS in Nice.
150 jobs and a sovereign French play
The investment is expected to create up to 150 jobs over three years, including high value-added engineering and software development roles, and will sit alongside EOS's existing cooperation with French armaments group KNDS. EOS will also explore the production of high-energy laser systems and the development of space-domain capabilities for France and the wider European market.
"France is making a decisive commitment to its defence sovereignty, and EOS is proud to support that ambition," said 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 looks like."
NiDAR meets Slinger
The new hub combines MARSS's NiDAR multi-sensor C-UAS platform — which fuses radar, EO/IR, RF and acoustic feeds — with EOS's Slinger, Interceptor-MR and Apollo high-energy laser portfolio. EOS recently secured the first export order for a 100 kW-class laser weapon system from the Netherlands and has been in advanced discussions with Germany following a visit by the German Federal Minister of Defence to its facilities.
Eurosatory launch pad
EOS is exhibiting in Hall 5A, Stand H335 at Eurosatory 2026, alongside the parallel reveal of the Lacroix S-KAPS counter-drone configuration, the Red Cat Hellcat sUAS launch and the AeroVironment HALO Shield demonstration. The announcement comes as European governments accelerate investment in air defence in response to the rapid proliferation of low-cost drones.
Reporting based on coverage from Electro Optic Systems investor disclosures, BusinessWire, Aerotime and Defence Industry Europe.