Why Australia ordered this $125 million anti-drone laser

Samuel Clench explains why an Australian technology company has secured a $125 million deal with a European country for a high‑energy laser weapon system. The weapon is designed to shoot down over a dozen drones within a minute. Electro Optic Systems signed a contract with a European NATO Member State to deliver the 100‑kilowatt anti‑drone weapon between 2025‑2028. Its share price rocketed more than 40 % on the news. 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. This is the world’s first export order for a 100‑kilowatt class laser defence system.