Electro Optic Systems Holdings has acquired the assets of MARSS Group

May 2026 — Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited (ASX: EOS), an Australian defense and space technology company, has acquired the assets of MARSS Group, a Europe-based defense and security technology provider of AI-enabled command and control (C2) and sensor fusion systems for counter-drone applications. The acquisition combines EOS’ sensors and effectors with MARSS’ NiDAR C2 platform to create an integrated end-to-end counter-drone solution, positioning EOS to compete for larger and higher-value programs as a prime contractor across defense, homeland security and civil critical infrastructure markets. Consideration consists of an upfront cash payment of US$36 million plus contingent consideration of up to US$160 million payable over time, based on new MARSS contract orders secured during the earnout period.

EOS is an Australian defense and space technology company that designs, manufactures and supports advanced remote weapon systems, counter-drone solutions, high-energy laser directed energy weapons and space domain awareness sensors. The company operates through two divisions: defense systems, covering weapon systems integration, counter-unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), high-energy lasers (HEL), intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and command, control, communications and computing (C4) systems; and space systems, focused on optical sensors and effectors for space domain awareness. Its customers include defense forces across Australia, Europe, the Middle East and other allied markets. Following the acquisition, EOS employs over 500 people across Australia, the UK, Europe and the Middle East, including more than 40 software engineers.

MARSS is a Europe-based defense and security technology provider of AI-enabled C2 and sensor fusion systems, primarily for counter-drone applications. Its proprietary NiDAR platform integrates radar, electro-optical (EO), infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF) and acoustic sensors with kinetic and non-kinetic effectors to detect, identify and defeat complex and swarm-based drone threats. Established in 2006, MARSS employs approximately 80 people across EMEA and more than 60 deployments globally across military, homeland security and civil critical infrastructure customers. The NiDAR platform is currently deployed in active operational environments, including the protection of critical infrastructure in the Middle East. The sellers were the private owners of the MARSS business, including the founding management team. Management was retained as part of the asset transfer and continues to lead the integrated business within EOS following completion.

Our role in the transaction

Oaklins’ team in Australia acted as the exclusive financial advisor to EOS in the acquisition. The engagement was built on a long-standing corporate broking and research coverage relationship with EOS, following an earlier mandate in which Oaklins advised EOS on the acquisition of MARSS’ Interceptor business in November 2025. Oaklins’ team in France was involved from the outset, providing European defense sector expertise, vendor-side relationship management and cross-border execution support, working in close coordination with the Australian team throughout. The combined mandate covered transaction structuring, valuation, negotiation support, deal execution, ASX announcement drafting and capital markets positioning across counterparties in France, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and the Middle East.