HENSOLDT Optronics GmbH and THEON SENSORS SA are establishing a joint company called HENSOLDT THEON NightVision GmbH. The company is headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany. HENSOLDT with THEON SENSORS will appoint the Managers.
Both companies are already successfully cooperating within the framework of a bidding consortium for a contract to manufacture and supply 9.550 pairs of night vision goggles, (5.000 for the German and 4.550 for the Belgian armed forces) on behalf of the armament agency OCCAR. Now both partners are complementing their capabilities in the field of thermal imaging and night vision systems. Specifically, new products are to be created on the technological basis of THEON's night vision goggles and HENSOLDT Optronics' weapon-adapted night vision attachments.
At the signing of the contract at EUROSATORY 2022 last week, Andreas Hülle, Head of the Optronics & Land Solutions Division and Managing Director of Optronics GmbH, said: “The merger with THEON SENSORS to form HENSOLDT THEON NightVision GmbH is directly related to HENSOLDT’s growth strategy. The current conflict situation in Ukraine shows how important high-performance sensor technology and optical systems are for equipping our armed forces in line with the times.”
Christian Hadjiminas, CEO of THEON SENSORS and President of EFA GROUP, added: “The global geo-political challenges are creating a new focus on the performance and accountability of night vision and thermal imaging systems world-wide. This new joint company HENSOLDT THEON NightVision GmbH will drive new insights and solutions as leading companies, HENSOLDT and THEON SENSORS, with complementary capabilities work together to meet the common goal of establishment of strong inter-European defence links.”
By combining capabilities from both parent companies, future product requirements can be developed even faster and in a more targeted manner and made available in a user-oriented manner. Existing products from both parent companies will serve as an innovative basis for further and new development.
For HENSOLDT THEON NightVision GmbH, the production site in Wetzlar is of central importance. In addition to the long-standing cooperation with the German Armed Forces and armed forces of associated nations, HENSOLDT also offers an excellent basis for logistical support. By combining technology, production and logistical services, the added value for customers is significantly increased and new jobs are created at the location. In the medium term, solid growth is planned for the new company due to the demand for state-of-the-art thermal imaging and night vision systems.
HENSOLDT is a leading company in the European defence industry with global reach. Based in Taufkirchen near Munich, the company develops complete sensor solutions for defence and security applications. As a technology leader, HENSOLDT drives the development of defence electronics and optronics and is continuously expanding its portfolio based on innovative approaches to data management, robotics and cyber security.
With more than 6,400 employees, HENSOLDT achieved a turnover of 1.5 billion euros in 2021. HENSOLDT is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.
THEON SENSORS is a world-renowned and recognized manufacturer of electro-optical night vision and thermal imaging systems used by military and law enforcement customers in more than 58 countries around the world. The development and production of the systems is made in Athens, Greece, whereas its worldwide business activities are supported by now five subsidiaries, in Germany, USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Singapore, with co-productions facilities in Middle and Far East. THEON SENSORS is part of EFA Group of companies that have a leading-edge position in the international markets in the fields of aerospace, security, defence and industrial cooperation.
Photo © HENSOLDT AG: (from left to right) Philippe Jean Mennicken (Business Development Director THEON Sensors SA), Christian Hadjiminas (CEO THEON SENSORS SA and President of EFA Group), Andreas Hülle (Managing Director HENSOLDT Optronics GmbH) and Wolfgang Geiss (Sales Director HENSOLDT Optronics GmbH) at the signing of the joint venture HENSOLDT THEON Night Vision GmbH.
