From battlefield lessons to swarm defeat: how EOS is redefining the fight against drones

Interview with Dr Andreas Schwer (CEO, Electro Optic Systems)

Drones are like a double-edged sword in security. On the positive side, they can complement conventional perimeter solutions to better detect intrusion and threats. But when drones are the intruders, they can inflict significant damage.

Drones offer significant potential for productivity, safety and even security. But, like every tool, in the wrong hands, they can become a serious threat, particularly to critical infrastructure and on the modern battlefield.

Drones are now easier to operate and far more cost-effective. This accessibility allows any individual or organisation to acquire, or even build their own drones. So how do we respond to this modern threat on the battlefield? Soldier Modernisation spoke with Australian company Electro Optic Systems (EOS) about its evolving approach to drone defence, including battle-proven kinetic platforms like Slinger and scalable directed energy weapons.

Q: How is EOS adapting its counter-drone systems to deal with smarter, harder-to-jam drones?

A: What we're seeing on the battlefield, particularly in places like Ukraine, is that drones are evolving at a rapid pace. Many now operate independently of GPS or remote control, relying instead on inertial navigation and onboard AI - and since the beginning of this year, most of them have been operated via thin fibre optic cables connecting the operator on the ground to the drone - hard-wired over several kilometres. This has made traditional jamming and spoofing largely ineffective. At EOS, we've responded by focusing our efforts on hard kill solutions, including high precision kinetic effectors like our remote weapon systems and high energy laser weapons (HELW). These systems don't rely on interfering with drone communications; they physically defeat the threat. We're also integrating AI into our own systems to support real time detection, classification and targeting. Our latest platforms, such as the R500, are designed to support autonomous operations and as part of a mesh network, enabling a coordinated and fast response to AI-enabled drone swarms.

Q: How is EOS using high energy lasers to offer a cost-effective and scalable response to the growing drone swarm threat?

A: Using missiles or rockets against drone swarms is not sustainable. A missile can cost up to $1 million, a rocket $15,000 to $25,000, and even a cannon round around $120. In contrast, a laser shot costs about $1. High energy lasers offer a scalable and cost-effective option for countering these kinds of threats. Because they don't rely on physical ammunition, they can operate for extended periods without the logistical burden of resupply. This makes them particularly well suited to sustained or high-volume engagements. Our HELW is scalable in output up to 150 kW and can be deployed on an 8x8 vehicle or in a containerised configuration to protect critical infrastructure. The mobile version stores enough energy for hundreds of engagements without the need of recharging the batteries, while the semi-stationary variant can operate continuously when connected to external power. EOS holds the full intellectual property for the system's architecture, including the beam director, targeting software and safety subsystems. We are currently transitioning from long-term testing to low-rate production of 100 kW-class HELW systems, with fielding expected from 2027 for NATO and other international customers. This marks a global first. No other company has achieved this capability.

Q: EOS' Slinger remote weapon system has been successful particularly in Ukraine, where it has connected with radar and engaged drone targets. Could we look at these successes and the lessons that EOS has learned?

A: Slinger was developed in response to growing demand for a precise, kinetic counter-drone capability. It's based on our R400 platform, known for its accuracy and high first-hit probability, qualities that are critical when the engagement window is only a few seconds. The system has been deployed in Ukraine and used in both frontline roles and to protect critical infrastructure such as radar sites and missile bases. Footage shared by Ukrainian operators has shown successful engagements against drones, including Shahed variants. Slinger is designed to operate in both networked and standalone configurations and is intended to provide flexibility across a range of operational scenarios. One of the clear lessons has been the value of designing systems that can function effectively whether integrated into a broader air defence network or operating independently. That thinking is shaping our next generation of platforms, where we're placing greater emphasis on sensor integration, faster targeting, and system autonomy when networked support is limited.

Q: With kinetic counter-drone solutions now being fielded and new threats emerging, how does EOS see its role in the future of land-based warfare?

A: The rapid increase in drone use has changed how land forces need to think about defence. What was once a specialised capability is now becoming a baseline requirement, forces at all levels need access to counter-drone systems that are scalable, effective, and easy to deploy. That shift is driving demand for widespread counter-drone capability, distributed not just through specialised units, but across vehicles, formations, and fixed sites. EOS sees its role as enabling every vehicle and forward asset to defend itself against the drone threat. We're addressing this shift with modular weapon systems that deliver precision and can be integrated across a broad range of platforms, from logistics trucks to armoured vehicles. These systems support distributed operations, can be networked to share threat data and hand off engagements, and contribute to a layered defence architecture that ensures responsiveness across the battlespace.