Electro Optic Systems on June 15th confirmed an investment of more than Euros 10 million to establish France as its European hub for AI-enabled counter-drone command and control (“C2”) systems.
The hub will be anchored by the headquarters of MARSS, the AI-enabled command-and-control specialist recently acquired by EOS, and will be located in Nice. The investment is expected to create up to 150 jobs over three years, including high-value-added engineering and software development roles.
The new hub will strengthen France’s defence industrial ecosystem through sovereign technologies and build on EOS’s existing cooperation with 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.”
The announcement comes as European governments accelerate investment in air defence in response to the rapid proliferation of low-cost drones. EOS is one of a few specialised companies outside the United States able to offer high-energy laser weapons, and its model is built around full technology transfer and local production, allowing partner nations to manufacture and maintain capability without dependency on foreign export controls.
The France hub reinforces EOS’s growing European presence. The company has secured the first export order for a 100kW-class laser weapon system from the Netherlands, and has held advanced discussions with Germany following a visit by the German Federal Minister of Defence to EOS facilities.
EOS will exhibit at Eurosatory in Paris from 15 to 19 June 2026 in Hall 5A, Stand H335. Visitors can meet the team and experience live demonstrations of EOS’ AI-enabled command and control capability alongside displays of its kinetic and high-energy laser technologies.
