Electro Optic Systems has received an order worth 53 million Australian dollars ($34 million) for its “Slinger” counter-drone Remote Weapon Systems (RWS) for naval use.
The agreement includes various weapon configurations, spare parts, and training.
A naval systems company placed the order, which is being funded by an undisclosed Western European government.
The systems are intended to meet “urgent operational requirements,” with deliveries scheduled for this year and 2026.
This is the largest order to date for the Slinger system and the Australian firm’s biggest naval RWS contract so far, the company emphasized.
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The counter-drone platform’s name is inspired by the ancient Slinger soldier, known for their accuracy in launching small stones to take down enemies from afar.
The Slinger system is developed to address current and evolving threats, drawing on operational experience from recent conflicts such as in Ukraine.
It can operate as a standalone unit or be integrated into a broader networked defense system.
Slinger integrates several components, including a radar for target detection and tracking, a 30mm cannon equipped with specialized ammunition, stabilization, and pointing technology.
Equipped with both day and thermal imaging, it can detect targets at ranges exceeding 12 kilometers (7.4 miles).
The day camera enables recognition at up to 5.6 kilometers (3.4 miles) and identification at up to 4.7 kilometers (2.9 miles), with slightly shorter ranges for the thermal imager.
