“Adversaries have adapted”: how counter-UAS and space control will decide future conflicts
This In Conversation interview is brought to you by Shephard in partnership with EOS.
Australian technology manufacturer Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has positioned itself at the forefront of emerging defence technologies, focusing on two critical areas: counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) and space control.
Speaking to Shephard at IDEX 2025, EOS CEO Andreas Schwer outlined how battlefield dynamics were evolving and why traditional defence strategies were no longer viable in an era of drone swarms and contested orbital operations.
Changing battlespace
The rapid proliferation of drones has reshaped modern warfare, with small, commercially available UAVs becoming a persistent and cost-effective threat on the battlefield. Schwer explained how industry demand for C-UAS solutions has been reinvigorated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, noting that “new threats are defined by miniaturised drones that can be mass-produced by almost anyone, making traditional missile-based interception financially unviable”.
He instead emphasised the need for specialist kinetic-kill solutions. “Shooting down a US$2,000 drone with a $500,000 missile simply doesn’t make sense,” he remarked. “Our clients are looking for highly precise, affordable alternatives, and that’s where our technology comes in. Our systems offer 30% greater accuracy than competitors, which is critical when engaging fast-moving drones with extremely short windows of opportunity.”