Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has taken a significant step in expanding its regional defence footprint, officially opening a new manufacturing and integration facility in Singapore to support the scaling of high energy laser capability for customers across ASEAN and beyond.
The facility, opened on 6 February, establishes Singapore as EOS’ regional hub for the manufacturing, integration and testing of high energy laser systems. It marks a major milestone in the Australian defence company’s global growth strategy and reinforces its long-term commitment to Singapore’s defence science and technology ecosystem.
Designed to support partners and customers throughout Southeast Asia and internationally, the site provides dedicated space for system integration, development, demonstration and sustainment. EOS says the expansion strengthens supply chain resilience, increases its ability to deliver at scale, and enables faster response times to evolving regional requirements.
The Singapore facility will directly support EOS’ growing pipeline of international high energy laser programs. These include a world-first export order for a 100 kW-class laser weapon system for the Netherlands, as well as a binding conditional agreement with a customer in the Republic of Korea covering the manufacture and supply of an additional 100 kW-class system and the establishment of a local partnership for the Korean market. Production and integration activities associated with both engagements are expected to be supported from Singapore.
The move reflects growing regional interest in directed energy systems as defence forces confront increasingly complex air and counter-drone threats. The rapid proliferation of uncrewed aerial systems, including coordinated and saturation drone attacks, is driving demand for defensive solutions that can respond at scale and at lower cost per engagement.
EOS’ high energy laser capability, including its Apollo system, is designed to integrate into modern, layered air defence architectures. The systems offer precision engagement, effectively unlimited ammunition, low operating costs and full directional coverage, including vertical engagement, attributes that are increasingly attractive to militaries across the Indo-Pacific.
According to EOS, the Singapore site will operate as a centre of excellence for laser technology innovation, supporting multiple international programs simultaneously. The company expects future expansion to increasingly involve localised production and integration, reflecting customer requirements for greater sovereignty and long-term control over capability development.
Chief executive officer Andreas Schwer said the new facility positions EOS to support regional customers as demand for directed energy systems accelerates.
“The Singapore facility will operate as EOS’ centre of excellence in laser technology innovation, supporting multiple international laser projects,” he said. “As demand grows, EOS expects future expansion to increasingly involve localised production and integration, driven by customer requirements for sovereignty and long-term control of capability development.”
For ASEAN defence forces grappling with evolving aerial threats and seeking scalable, cost-effective air defence solutions, EOS’ investment underscores Singapore’s role as a key regional hub for advanced defence manufacturing and technology development.
