EOS joins the big league

Canberra-based Electro Optic Systems (ASX: EOS) has joined the list of Australia’s top 40 defence contractors published by the prestigious Australian Defence Magazine.

The company, which makes laser systems to track space debris, optical telescopes, and remotely operated weapons (ROW) systems, is the country’s third largest SME defence business.

EOS Defence CEO Grant Sanderson told ADM: “Growth of 360 per cent in revenues in a single year delivering high technology, Australian designed and manufactured products would be a tough challenge for any business.

“However, the EOS production and engineering teams in Hume in the ACT and Queanbeyan in NSW have proven up to the task.”

EOS Defence has opened two new manufacturing facilities in the UAE and Huntsville, Alabama, and won orders that will take 2019 revenue to more than $200 million.

The company’s ROW systems allow troops to operate weapons from inside the safety of an armoured vehicle, and are in use by a number of nations.

Its space systems include large optical telescopes, satellite laser ranging systems, and lasers designed to knock space debris out of orbit, removing them as a hazard to satellites.

EOS Group CEO Ben Greene said the company’s space division founded 35 years ago had gained new importance with the establishment of an Australian Space Agency

Greene said: “As a nation, Australia has a natural advantage in space services, but we have to leave the door open to disruptive technologies being developed to help increase Australian access.

“In some of these disruptive technologies everyone, including Australia, is starting from the same basic levels.”

EOS operates in Australia, USA, UAE, Singapore and Germany.

Picture: EOS Holdings/EOS ROW system mounted on a Thales Hawkei vehicle

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