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25 Feb 2026
French electro-optics firm enjoying robust demand for image intensifier tubes critical to night vision applications.
Exosens, the Bordeaux, France, company that sells a range of optical amplification and imaging products largely used in defense-related applications, has posted annual sales of €468 million - up 22 per cent on the figure for 2024.
While the total for 2025 was boosted by the recent acquisitions of Noxant, Phasics, and Night Vision Laser Spain, the latest figures point to strong underlying growth with like-for-like sales up 13 per cent year-on-year.
That sales strength is also translating to higher profits, with operating income of €102 million in 2025 up from €76.8 million in the prior year.
CEO Jérôme Cerisier commented: “In defense, we continued to benefit from a very strong market demand, underpinned by the signing with the Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) of the largest night vision contract secured to date.
“We also saw a marked acceleration in requirements for defense imaging applications and, in particular, in surveillance, where the fast-evolving drone threat landscape represents a major structural shift.
“We will continue to pursue a technology-driven differentiation strategy in selected, growing markets, within a favorable industrial and geopolitical environment, delivering sensors that protect and prevent by revealing what is invisible to the human eye.”
The firm is currently expecting sales to rise strongly again this year, to somewhere between €520 million and €540 million.
€500 million contract
According to the latest update from Exosens, defense priorities are continuing to evolve amid heightened geopolitical tensions, with an increased focus on operational superiority at night fueling global demand for night vision goggles.
“In this fast-moving market, Exosens leverages its position as the strategic supplier of high-performance, ITAR-free image intensifier tubes to NATO members and tier-1 allies,” it adds.
“End users continue to accelerate procurement of night vision systems, as evidenced by a series of major business wins, especially in Europe.”
The OCCAR deal is the most obvious example of that demand, and will be met through a partnership with Greece-based Theon International to supply Germany’s armed forces with some 200,000 16 mm image intensifier tubes. The €500 million contract is scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2029.
With night vision technology evolving rapidly, Exosens has also developed new “5G” image intensifier tubes, which are claimed as a major technological breakthrough with up to a 35 per cent increase in detection range compared with current standards.
“Exosens will be the only supplier capable of delivering this level of technology to NATO members, further cementing its role as their strategic night vision partner,” boasts the firm.
“The 5G has already seen rapid market adoption, resulting in sizeable orders, as illustrated by the signing in January 2026 of a major contract with ACTinBlack for the supply of more than 7000 5G tubes, to be delivered across 2027 and 2028 and integrated into night vision goggles for European special forces end users.”
Such is the level of demand that Exosens has earmarked a €37 million investment plan aimed at expanding production capacity in both Europe and the US. By next year that should boost production by 40 per cent across its 16 mm, 18 mm, and 5G intensifier tube product families.
Exosens sees a particular opportunity for growth in the US, where the rollout of its new manufacturing facility is underway, key equipment already ordered, and initial hires completed.
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