EOS has secured a US$124 million (~A$175 million) order for its Slinger Counter-Drone Remote Weapon System (“RWS”), to be supplied to Generation 5 Holding (GEN5). GEN5 is a 100% United Arab Emirates (UAE) owned provider of defence equipment, technology and services headquartered in Abu Dhabi.
The order includes the RWS, cannon, spares, training and other supplies. EOS understands that the systems are intended to strengthen defence systems in light of ongoing regional tensions in the Middle East. The Slinger RWS is EOS’ market leading cannon-based counter-drone defence system.
The systems are expected to be manufactured in Australia and the UAE, and be delivered during 2027 and 2028. The order is subject to GEN5’s customary terms and will be subject to export approvals requirements.
The order further strengthens the relationship between EOS and Gen5 following the announcement on 20 May 2026 that EOS had received a commitment from Generation 5 Holding to subscribe, as part of EOS’ strategic placement, for A$30 million of fully paid ordinary shares in EOS. This is conditional on shareholder approval under ASX listing rule 7.1 being sought at EOS’ Extraordinary General Meeting on Friday, 26 June 2026.
EOS has worked closely with the UAE Government for many years to provide a range of high technology counter-drone systems. EOS is recognised for its innovative counter-drone technology, including:
- Slinger, EOS’ counter-drone kinetic RWS
- Apollo, EOS’ High Energy Laser Weapon (HELW) product
EOS and Gen5 have entered into a binding, conditional, joint-venture shareholders agreement (JVA) to establish an incorporated Joint Venture (JV) for:
- The development, manufacturing and global distribution of a 200-300kW next generation HELW
- The manufacturing and distribution of EOS’ existing 100-150kW HELW in the UAE (including for the UAE-Korean Offset Program arising between the UAE and the Republic of Korea) and certain other Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries
- The manufacturing and distribution of certain existing EOS RWS including the R400, R500 and R800 in UAE and certain other MENA countries
This JV is a strategic growth initiative, formed to capitalise on EOS technology and establish advanced manufacturing capability in the UAE. The JV provides the potential to allow EOS to:
- Accelerate the development, manufacturing and sale of the next generation, 200kW300kW HELW technology
- Produce 100-150kW HELW in the UAE for local market (including for the UAE-Korean Offset Program and regional markets, embed a deep partnership with EOS’ longstanding Middle Eastern customer, and secure market access to the important MENA region
- Further strengthen its global technology leadership in the highly strategic HELW technology market
- Potentially secure an increase in the order book including through development and production orders for a 200-300kW HELW product family as well as orders for 100kW HELW systems. There is no guarantee that these orders will be secured
It is anticipated that the JV will be based in Abu Dhabi and will have a 50/50 equity contribution and profit sharing between GEN5 and EOS, subject to relevant UAE laws and government approvals.
Headquartered in Australia, Electro Optic Systems (OES) has offices in New Zealand, the USA, the UAE, the Netherlands, Singapore and Germany. The company’s military and space sector research and production facilities are located in Australia and USA.
