This article digs into Exosens’ 2025 performance and strategy. It looks at how booming defense demand, fresh acquisitions, and a leap into next-gen night vision tech are changing the company’s growth path.
It covers revenue jumps, profit gains, big contracts, and the company’s aggressive plans to ramp up capacity for ITAR‑free image intensifier tubes—especially for NATO and top allies.
2025 Results: Growth Fueled by Defense Demand and Strategic Acquisitions
Exosens posted 2025 sales of €468 million, a 22% year‑over‑year jump. Like-for-like growth hit 13%.
Operating income climbed to €102 million from €76.8 million. That’s a mix of strong demand and the lift from recent acquisitions.
Buying Noxant, Phasics, and Night Vision Laser Spain definitely helped, but management keeps pointing to steady defense spending and the growing need for night-vision gear across allied forces as the real engine.
The company’s carved out a spot as a go-to supplier of high‑performance, ITAR‑free image intensifier tubes, zeroing in on NATO members and top-tier partners. One major highlight: a €500 million OCCAR contract with Greece’s Theon International to deliver about 200,000 16 mm image intensifier tubes to Germany between 2027 and 2029.
These wins push Exosens deeper into Europe’s defense supply chain and help modernize allied night operations.
Strategic milestones driving growth
- €500 million OCCAR contract for 200,000 units of 16 mm tubes (delivery 2027–2029).
- Big orders for the new “5G” image intensifier tubes, showing a lead in detection range tech.
- January 2026 deal with ACTinBlack for 7,000+ 5G units, headed to European special forces goggles in 2027–2028.
- Acquisition-fueled revenue growth, plus a defense market snapping up more night-vision solutions.
- 2026 sales forecast at €520–540 million.
Technology Leadership: The 5G Image Intensifier Tubes
Exosens rolled out new “5G” image intensifier tubes and claims they offer up to a 35% boost in detection range versus current models. The company says it’ll be the only supplier able to deliver this tech to NATO members, reinforcing its spot as a tech leader in allied night-vision gear.
5G tubes stand out by pairing higher performance with ITAR‑free compliance, opening doors with key defense customers.
Implementation and production ramp for 5G technology
To keep up with rising demand for both 5G and legacy tubes (16 mm and 18 mm), Exosens is speeding up industrial expansion. The tech roadmap highlights reliability, ITAR compliance, and the ability to fill big NATO orders without regulatory headaches.
With defense procurement cycles getting shorter, the 5G platform looks set to become a core growth driver next to Exosens’ existing products.
Expansion Plans and Financial Outlook
To handle soaring demand, Exosens announced a €37 million investment plan to boost production in Europe and the US. The goal: ramp up output of 16 mm, 18 mm, and 5G tubes by 40% in the coming year.
The company’s building a new US plant, ordering key equipment, and starting to hire as it scales up. Management sounds confident about 2026, projecting sales at €520–540 million.
CEO Jérôme Cerisier calls the strategy a technology‑driven differentiation that lets Exosens supply sensors to “protect and prevent by revealing what is invisible to the human eye.” That focus on performance and reliability fits the shift in defense procurement toward advanced, ITAR‑free gear that boosts alliance interoperability and night‑time battlefield awareness.
What this means for customers and partners
For NATO members and early-adopter partners, Exosens’ investments point to a tighter, more capable supply chain for high-end night-vision systems.
The company has landed significant contracts and is pushing hard to expand capacity. They’re clearly aiming to be a cornerstone supplier of next-generation image intensifier tubes in a security landscape that’s shaped by evolving threats and fierce competition for night-time superiority.
Here is the source article for this story: Exosens confident of double-digit annual growth in strong defense market