French firm Exosens has secured its largest drone imaging order to date, supplying several thousand ultra-compact thermal camera cores to a European autonomous air defense developer.
These cameras will be integrated into interceptor drones for counter-drone operations, enabling real-time detection, tracking, and engagement of aerial targets.
According to Exosens, the order underscores the growing importance of digital imaging in modern military systems, with sensors increasingly embedded directly into platforms across air, land, and maritime domains.
The trend is driven by the expansion of drone and counter-drone systems, where onboard imaging supports faster response times, greater autonomy, and reduced reliance on external inputs.
The company also noted that demand is rising for technologies that can be integrated early in the design phase and deployed more quickly, in line with shorter development and procurement cycles.
Night Vision Contracts in Europe
Exosens is also expanding its footprint through a series of large contracts related to night vision systems for European armed forces.
In December 2025, the company was selected to supply more than 200,000 image intensifier tubes for night vision goggles under a German-led procurement program.
The tubes will be integrated into 16mm systems within a broader program managed by a consortium formed by Theon Sensors and Hensoldt.
Awarded through Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation, the contract is valued at around 1 billion euros ($1.17 billion) and covers approximately 100,000 night vision goggles for Germany and 4,000 for Belgium.
Earlier in 2025, Exosens won a contract to supply 17,000 monocular night vision devices to the Spanish Army, part of one of Spain’s largest modernization efforts in this category.
