Australian Firm Wins Contract for 100-Kilowatt Laser Counter-Drone System

Australian defense firm Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has secured a 71.4-million-euro ($83-million) order for the production and supply of a laser-based counter-drone system.

An unidentified European NATO country has placed an order for a 100-kilowatt class system, with delivery expected between 2025 and 2028.

The contract includes spare parts, training, and documentation. Delivery will take place from Singapore, where EOS has a laser innovation center.

“The new laser counter-drone capability was developed by EOS to address the urgent market need and emerging strategic requirement to defend against drone swarm attacks at an economical cost,” EOS stated.

“This is the world’s first export order for a 100-kilowatt class laser defence system. The order follows extensive and ongoing marketing, sales, and customer demonstration activity by EOS.”

The System

Combining multiple laser beams, the system can shoot down as many as 20 drones in a minute, according to EOS CEO Andreas Schwer.

The mobile system sends out laser beams that strike “at the speed of light,” news.com.au wrote, citing Schwer.

“It tracks targets very accurately – this is critical – and keeps the laser beam on the target. The light energy typically degrades the drone target in 1-2 seconds,” he added.

In addition to countering short-range drone swarms, the system is also much less expensive than conventional counter-drone systems based on missiles.

“Missile systems cost $0.5 million – $2.0 million per shot fired,” news.com.au quoted Schwer as saying.

“The laser system costs less than 10 cents per shot.”

“Lasers can shoot directly upwards, which ballistics (bullets and missiles) often cannot do,” he added.

Looking ahead, the company is considering the development of more powerful counter-drone systems with a power output of up to 150 kilowatts.