The Netherlands is partnering with Australian defense technology company Electro Optic Systems (EOS) to develop a high-energy laser weapon designed to destroy drones and counter large-scale aerial attacks.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence announced the partnership on September 24, following the signing of a Letter of Intent by State Secretary for Defence Derk Boswijk. The project aims to turn an existing laser prototype into a fully deployable military air defense system, with potential production in the Netherlands.
The development builds on an existing €71.4 million ($84 million) export contract between EOS and a European NATO member, which the company announced in 2025. The Dutch ministry has not disclosed how much it intends to spend on the new development program or how many systems it plans to acquire.
Laser designed to counter drone swarms
The weapon under development is based on EOS’ Apollo High Energy Laser Weapon System, a 100-kilowatt-class directed-energy system designed to engageunmanned aerial vehicles.
Unlike conventional air defense weapons, which launch missiles or projectiles at incoming targets, a high-energy laser concentrates light onto a small area of a target. The resulting heat can damage or destroy critical components, potentially causing a drone to ignite, lose control, or become unable to continue flying.
EOS says its Apollo system can engage between 20 and 50 drones per minute, depending on the operating conditions and target characteristics.
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A laser weapon could change that cost equation. Once deployed, the system does not require a separate missile or projectile for every engagement; instead, its operating capacity is constrained by electrical power, cooling, and other system limitations.
Netherlands explores local production
The Dutch program will focus on developing the laser into a complete military weapon system, rather than simply acquiring a prototype.
According toBeveiligings Nieuws, the Netherlands has already been working with EOS on the technology. The country’s defense project overview includes orders placed in 2025 and 2026 for a high-energy laser prototype and an additional low-cost counter-drone system.
EOS also reported completing a major design review for the Dutch 100-kilowatt laser system in May 2026. The latest agreement will examine whether a dedicated production facility can be established in the Netherlands, alongside a European-managed supply chain.
The Dutch government sees local manufacturing as a way to strengthen its domestic defense industry and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. The ministry is also considering how to integratelaser weaponsonto military vehicles, allowing them to protect troops and equipment while moving.
If the system completes development successfully, the Netherlands intends to purchase multiple laser units. The ministry has not yet specified the number or delivery schedule.
A new layer of European air defense
The laser program is intended to complement existing air defense systems, rather than replace conventional missiles and guns. High-energy lasers are particularly suited to engaging certain short-range aerial threats, including small drones and drone swarms. However, their effectiveness can depend on weather, visibility, line of sight, and the amount of time the beam can remain focused on a target.
The Dutch investment comes as European NATO members seek additional ways to defend against drone incursions and large-scale aerial attacks, including those observed during Russia’s war with Ukraine.
EOS has also attracted interest from other international defense customers. The company has reported inquiries from countries in Europe, the Middle East, and theIndo-Pacificregarding its directed-energy technology.
The immediate objective for the Netherlands is to move from prototype development to a deployable system, while exploring local manufacturing and integration with mobile air defense units.
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Kaif ShaikhKaif Shaikh is a journalist and writer passionate about turning complex information into clear, impactful stories. His writing covers technology, sustainability, geopolitics, and occasionally fiction. A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, his work has appeared in the Times of India and beyond. After a near-fatal experience, Kaif began seeing both stories and silences differently. Outside work, he juggles far too many projects and passions, but always makes time to read, reflect, and hold onto the thread of wonder.
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The Netherlands is partnering with Australian defense technology company Electro Optic Systems (EOS) to develop a high-energy laser weapon designed to destroy drones and counter large-scale aerial attacks.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence announced the partnership on September 24, following the signing of a Letter of Intent by State Secretary for Defence Derk Boswijk. The project aims to turn an existing laser prototype into a fully deployable military air defense system, with potential production in the Netherlands.
The development builds on an existing €71.4 million ($84 million) export contract between EOS and a European NATO member, which the company announced in 2025. The Dutch ministry has not disclosed how much it intends to spend on the new development program or how many systems it plans to acquire.
Laser designed to counter drone swarms
The weapon under development is based on EOS’ Apollo High Energy Laser Weapon System, a 100-kilowatt-class directed-energy system designed to engageunmanned aerial vehicles.
Unlike conventional air defense weapons, which launch missiles or projectiles at incoming targets, a high-energy laser concentrates light onto a small area of a target. The resulting heat can damage or destroy critical components, potentially causing a drone to ignite, lose control, or become unable to continue flying.
EOS says its Apollo system can engage between 20 and 50 drones per minute, depending on the operating conditions and target characteristics.
More from AI and Robotics
See AllAI and RoboticsGoogle sends TPU chips into orbit to test hardware for future space data centersAI and RoboticsRobot dog finishes 26-mile marathon on a single battery charge, beating human efficiencyAI and RoboticsUnitree humanoid robots return to America’s Got Talent for Chinese dance finaleAI and RoboticsClaude scans 200,000 enzymes to uncover new CRISPR-like system hidden in phagesAI and RoboticsSanders pushes federal legislation to outlaw superintelligence, freeze frontier modelsThe system is designed to address a growing problem for military forces: the cost of defending against inexpensive drones that can be launched in large numbers. EOS CEO Andreas Schwer toldABC News Australiathat a drone costing around $1,000 could require a missile costing hundreds of thousands of dollars to intercept.
A laser weapon could change that cost equation. Once deployed, the system does not require a separate missile or projectile for every engagement; instead, its operating capacity is constrained by electrical power, cooling, and other system limitations.
Netherlands explores local production
The Dutch program will focus on developing the laser into a complete military weapon system, rather than simply acquiring a prototype.
According toBeveiligings Nieuws, the Netherlands has already been working with EOS on the technology. The country’s defense project overview includes orders placed in 2025 and 2026 for a high-energy laser prototype and an additional low-cost counter-drone system.
EOS also reported completing a major design review for the Dutch 100-kilowatt laser system in May 2026. The latest agreement will examine whether a dedicated production facility can be established in the Netherlands, alongside a European-managed supply chain.
The Dutch government sees local manufacturing as a way to strengthen its domestic defense industry and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. The ministry is also considering how to integratelaser weaponsonto military vehicles, allowing them to protect troops and equipment while moving.
If the system completes development successfully, the Netherlands intends to purchase multiple laser units. The ministry has not yet specified the number or delivery schedule.
A new layer of European air defense
The laser program is intended to complement existing air defense systems, rather than replace conventional missiles and guns. High-energy lasers are particularly suited to engaging certain short-range aerial threats, including small drones and drone swarms. However, their effectiveness can depend on weather, visibility, line of sight, and the amount of time the beam can remain focused on a target.
The Dutch investment comes as European NATO members seek additional ways to defend against drone incursions and large-scale aerial attacks, including those observed during Russia’s war with Ukraine.
EOS has also attracted interest from other international defense customers. The company has reported inquiries from countries in Europe, the Middle East, and theIndo-Pacificregarding its directed-energy technology.
The immediate objective for the Netherlands is to move from prototype development to a deployable system, while exploring local manufacturing and integration with mobile air defense units.
Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.
By subscribing, you agree to our
Terms of Useand
PoliciesYou may unsubscribe at any time.
0
COMMENT
Subscribe to
Today!
Access to exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.
Explore Now!By
Kaif ShaikhKaif Shaikh is a journalist and writer passionate about turning complex information into clear, impactful stories. His writing covers technology, sustainability, geopolitics, and occasionally fiction. A graduate in Journalism and Mass Communication, his work has appeared in the Times of India and beyond. After a near-fatal experience, Kaif began seeing both stories and silences differently. Outside work, he juggles far too many projects and passions, but always makes time to read, reflect, and hold onto the thread of wonder.
- 1360 feet recyclable wind turbine blade built, achieves 95% recovery rate for key raw materials
- 2World's first isotope refinery project that can transform fusion innovation gets funding boost
- 3World's longest-range twin-engine jet gets new turbofan with up to 8% more thrust
- 4New offshore fiber system raises $7M to absorb uranium from seawater for nuclear fuel
- 5US nuclear fuel plant with 5-metric-ton uranium capacity moves closer to operations
