The Dutch Ministry of Defence has signed a letter of intent with Australian defense firm EOS to transition its Apollo counter-drone high-energy laser prototype into a fully operational weapon system and explore domestic production.
The mobile system was procured by the Netherlands in 2025 for 71.4 million euros ($81.2 million) in its first export order following three years of testing and firing trials. Deliveries have been scheduled from 2025 to 2028, and the new agreement could lead to further orders.
“Defence and EOS intend to further develop the High Energy Laser into a fully-fledged weapon system,” the ministry said in a statement.
“Both parties will also investigate the possibility of establishing a production site with a Dutch-led European supply chain. The Australian company intends, in principle, to carry out development and production in the Netherlands. This will make the Netherlands the European headquarters for EOS.”
Cost-Effective System
Apollo converts electrical energy into a highly concentrated 100-kilowatt beam that can burn through aerial targets such as drones.
The system is designed to destroy or disable Group 1–3 unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and disrupt their sensors at range, helping counter coordinated swarm attacks. With external power and cooling, it can fire continuously, while its internal magazine supports more than 200 UAS kills when operating independently.
Powered entirely by electricity, Apollo offers a lower-cost alternative to cannon- or missile-based counter-drone systems. EOS says it costs less than $1 per shot and can destroy a swarm of 20 drones per minute.
Apollo integrates with NATO air defense command-and-control systems and theater-level integrated air defense systems, allowing it to operate within existing defense networks.
Housed in a 20-foot (6-meter) ISO container, the system is designed for transport, concealment, and rapid deployment. Experienced crews can make it operational in under two hours.