OIP N.V.
OIP N.V. is a privately held Belgian company that designs, develops, and manufactures bespoke electro-optical systems — including thermal sights, fire control systems, stabilised observation platforms, and space-qualified instruments — for defence forces, vehicle integrators, and space agencies worldwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1919
- HeadquartersOudenaarde, Belgium
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What OIP N.V. does
OIP N.V. (also operating as OIP Sensor Systems) is a privately held Belgian electro-optical systems company founded in 1919 in Ghent and headquartered in Oudenaarde. With nearly 200 employees, the majority of whom are engineers, OIP designs, develops, manufactures, and qualifies mission-critical electro-optical systems for two end markets: defence forces, vehicle manufacturers, and weapon system integrators; and space agencies and scientific programmes. The company's core technology spans thermal imaging (cooled and uncooled detectors), image intensification (I²), visible/NIR CMOS cameras, laser rangefinders, fire control electronics, and high-precision stabilised pedestals, all designed and built in-house at its Belgian facilities with AS9100D-certified quality management and MIL-STD-810 qualification.
The product portfolio is organised into three families. The dismounted soldier line includes LORIS night vision monoculars, VIPERIS thermal red dot sights, IRBIS night weapon sights, and TIGRIS clip-on sights (I² and IR variants). The platform-mounted line covers EOPTRIS, FINTIR, and VECTOR for target acquisition and fire control; SKYLAR and CLOVIS for stabilised long-range surveillance and Counter-C-UAS; VINIRIS visible/NIR cameras; and SENTINEL for armoured-vehicle situational awareness, including an edge computing variant with onboard AI for object recognition. The space business, operated since February 2021 as a dedicated sub-brand called OIP Space Instruments, supplies spectrometers, monitoring and navigation cameras, and scientific instrumentation, with mission heritage including the James Webb Space Telescope relay optics, the PROBA-V satellite, and the Mars-orbiting NOMAD instrument.
Revenue is generated through custom development contracts and multi-year production orders with government defence procurement agencies, space agencies, and a small set of prime integrators. The most significant disclosed contracts are the ~€100 million French DGA FPSA programme covering approximately 2,620 FN SCAR-H PR rifles equipped with OIP's TIGRIS clip-on sights, and the €40 million ALTIUS satellite instrument contract under a €75 million ESA consortium led by QinetiQ. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales led by a Head of Business Development, supported by active participation in defence trade shows including Eurosatory, NEDS NIDV, and NAVY TECHNOFEST. Customer concentration is high, with the French DGA and ESA representing the bulk of disclosed backlog.
OIP N.V. firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OIP N.V.
- Legal name
- OIP nv
- Website
- https://oip.be
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1919
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- OIP N.V. is a privately held Belgian company that designs, develops, and manufactures bespoke electro-optical systems — including thermal sights, fire control systems, stabilised observation platforms, and space-qualified instruments — for defence forces, vehicle integrators, and space agencies worldwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OIP N.V. industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electro-Optical Defence and Space Systems
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors & Targeting Systems (IMABAGAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), UAS Payloads (EO/IR, LiDAR, SAR, SIGINT) & Gimbals (IMABAIAI), Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) Electronics for Weapons (IMABAGAH)
Keywords
Where OIP N.V. is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oudenaarde
- HQ country
- Belgium
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
OIP N.V. business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom Electro-Optical Defence Systems: OIP designs, develops, and manufactures bespoke electro-optical systems for military customers including weapon sights, fire control systems, situational awareness cameras, and periscopic sights. Revenue is generated through custom development contracts and production orders for defence forces, vehicle manufacturers, and weapon system integrators.
- Space Instruments and Scientific Payloads: Development and supply of specialised space-qualified instruments including spectrometers, cameras, and scientific instrumentation for satellites and space missions. The FPSA contract with the French DGA represents approximately 100 million euros including optional batches.
- User Training and Logistic Support: OIP provides training services for end users of its defence systems (e.g., user training for French Armed Forces at Ecoles Militaires de Draguignan) as well as logistic support services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | FPSA Contract - French Ministry of Defence |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
OIP N.V. product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OIP designs, develops, and manufactures bespoke electro-optical systems for defence and space applications under the brand OIP Sensor Systems. Its offerings span dismounted soldier equipment (night vision, thermal and clip-on weapon sights), target acquisition and fire control systems for armoured vehicles, surveillance and situational awareness platforms for naval and land platforms, and space-qualified scientific instrumentation including spectrometers and relay optics. Sales occur through direct B2B contracts with defence forces, vehicle manufacturers, weapon system integrators, and space agencies, supported by user training and logistic support services.
Product overview
OIP Sensor Systems is a designer and manufacturer of bespoke electro-optical solutions for defence and space applications. The product portfolio includes Dismounted Soldier Equipment (LORIS night vision monoculars, VIPERIS thermal red dot sights, IRBIS night weapon sights, TIGRIS-IL and TIGRIS-IR clip-on sights), Platform-Mounted Systems (EOPTRIS, FINTIR, VECTOR for target acquisition and fire control; SKYLAR, CLOVIS, VINIRIS for surveillance and observation; SENTINEL for vehicle situational awareness), and Space Instruments (spectrometers, monitoring cameras, scientific instrumentation for planetary observation and space missions). The company operates as a single unified product line with specialized divisions for land systems and space instruments, offering both off-the-shelf products and custom-made instruments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- OIP Space Instruments: Space-focused business unit launched in 2021, focusing on Planetary Observation, Scientific Programs & Technological Research, including Spectrometers, Cameras & Instrumentation for space applications.
Products and services
- LORIS Versatile high-performance monocular night vision device suitable for handheld observation, helmet mounting or face mask configurations, with automatic light sensor switching between day and night operation. It is designed for defence and security end users requiring dismounted night observation capability.
- VIPERIS Thermal Red Dot Weapon Sight Thermal red dot sight combining a red dot sight with thermal imaging for visibility in various scenarios, prioritising ease of use for quick close-quarters combat. Targeted at military and security users needing a compact thermal CQB sight.
- IRBIS Night Weapon Sights Night weapon sights available in MK2 and MK3 variants with 4x or 6x magnification, featuring electronic adjustable reticle and digital boresight capability on MK3. Designed for snipers and tactical shooters requiring magnified night engagement capability.
- TIGRIS-IL Clip-on Night Sight Clip-on night sight using I² (image intensifier) technology to enable a seamless day-to-night transition without boresight realignment, and compatible with precision day scopes. Used by snipers and precision shooters paired with day optics.
- TIGRIS-IR Thermal Clip-on Sight Thermal clip-on weapon sight with uncooled 8-14 μm shutterless detector for sniper rifles, enabling day and night operation without boresight realignment and using a STANAG 4694 interface for MIL-STD-1913 rail mounting.
- EOPTRIS Electro-Optical Ranging and Imaging System Electro-Optical Ranging and Imaging System combining thermal video channel, visible channel and Laser Rangefinder, configurable as standalone cameras or complete Fire Control Systems with enhanced ballistic accuracy. MIL-STD-810G and VG qualified for harsh environments.
- FINTIR Product Family Fully customised electro-optical solutions tailored to specific customer needs with custom optics, 4K resolution CMOS sensors, and SXGA resolution MWIR and LWIR sensors with mechanically complex platform integrations. Suited to defence programmes requiring bespoke fire control and targeting configurations.
- VECTOR Stabilised Gunner and Commander Sight Compact, lightweight stabilised gunner and commander pan & tilt sight offering on-the-move day and night situational awareness, target acquisition and designation for armoured vehicles.
- SKYLAR Stabilised Long-Range Observation Platform High-precision stabilised long-range observation platform combining electro-optical technology with a high-precision stabilised pedestal architecture, supporting integrated AI processing for target detection, classification and tracking. MIL-STD-810 qualified for harsh land and naval environments.
- CLOVIS Thermal Imager Thermal imager with 640x480 cooled detector and 22x continuous optical zoom for long-range surveillance, perimeter security, counter-C-UAS applications and target tracking.
- VINIRIS VIS/NIR Camera Family Ruggedised visible and near-infrared (VIS/NIR) CMOS cameras for fire control systems, remotely operated weapon stations, and recognition systems.
- SENTINEL Situational Awareness System Real-time day and thermal panoramic situational awareness system for armoured fighting vehicles and main battle tanks, providing crew with battlefield view under closed hatches. Features Ethernet network architecture and an AI-enabled Edge Computing variant with local video processing.
- OIP Space Instruments Business Unit Space-focused business unit delivering electro-optical solutions for planetary observation, space situational awareness, and science missions, including spectrometers, monitoring and navigation cameras, and scientific instrumentation such as relay optics for the James Webb Space Telescope. Sold to space agencies and consortia for satellite and deep-space missions.
- User Training and Logistic Support Services End-user training for OIP defence systems (e.g., user training delivered for the French Armed Forces at the Ecoles Militaires de Draguignan) along with logistic support services accompanying equipment deliveries.
Quantifiable outcome
- ALTIUS satellite instrument contract worth €40m for ESA Earth Watch Programme atmospheric monitoring mission
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use OIP N.V.
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
OIP N.V. technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability7 records
Feature6 records
OIP N.V. partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- QinetiQcoreQinetiQ leads a consortium (Belgium, Canada, Luxembourg, Romania) awarded a €75m ESA contract to develop and assemble the ALTIUS satellite on its P200 platform. OIP serves as the prime contractor for the scientific instrument aboard the satellite, a €40m contract. The Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy is the scientific leader of the mission. BELSPO has supported the mission since 2016.
- Royal Belgian Institute for Space AeronomycoreThe scientific leader of the ALTIUS mission, having conducted a maturation phase of several years. Supported by the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) since 2016. Collaborates with OIP as the prime contractor for the instrument.
- Telefunken-RacomscoreTelefunken-Racoms (Ulm, Germany) is a co-contractor alongside OIP Sensor Systems on the FPSA programme for the French DGA. Telefunken-Racoms provides radio and communication systems expertise, complementing OIP's electro-optical capabilities in the integrated weapon sight system being delivered to the French Armed Forces.
- PhotoniscorePhotonis supplies the 4G image intensifier tubes for the I² variant of OIP's TIGRIS clip-on sight within the French FPSA programme. Photonis is a key component supplier for night vision technology.
- Device-ALab / LynredcoreDevice-ALab supplies thermal cores with Lynred infrared detectors for the IR variant of OIP's TIGRIS clip-on sight in the French FPSA programme. Lynred is a leading European supplier of infrared detectors.
- Schmidt & BendercoreSchmidt & Bender supplies PMII ShortDot Dual CC day scopes paired with OIP's TIGRIS clip-on sights on the FN SCAR-H PR precision rifles delivered under the French FPSA programme.
- FN HerstalcoreFN Herstal supplies the FN SCAR-H PR semi-automatic 7.62x51mm precision rifles which are equipped with OIP's TIGRIS clip-on sights and Schmidt & Bender day scopes for the French FPSA programme.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
OIP N.V. competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Elbit Systems: Israeli defence electronics group with a globally deployed family of thermal weapon sights (XACTth), vehicle-mounted EO systems, and night-vision solutions — same product categories and same customer base (NATO and allied armies) as OIP.
- Hensoldt: German specialist in defence sensors and optics (formerly the Airbus DS electronics business), with a closely overlapping EO/IR sight, surveillance, and situational-awareness portfolio built around cooled/uncooled infrared detectors.
- Excelitas Technologies: Following its acquisition of Qioptiq, Excelitas manufactures defence-grade optical systems, night-vision modules, and EO assemblies for NATO armed forces — comparable custom-engineering model and platform-integration depth to OIP.
- Teledyne FLIR: Industry-leading merchant supplier of uncooled and cooled infrared detectors and integrated thermal cameras (military and paramilitary); competes at the component-and-system level with OIP across dismounted and mounted thermal sighting.
- Thales: French Tier-1 defence prime with a substantial EO/IR portfolio (Sophie, Catherine, Saphir thermal weapon sights and vehicle sights) serving the same European armed-forces customers OIP targets, including France.
- L3Harris Technologies (WESCAM): Through the WESCAM division, L3Harris is the global leader in stabilised multi-sensor turrets for vehicles, ships, and aircraft — directly comparable to OIP's VECTOR, SKYLAR, and CLOVIS stabilised long-range observation systems.
- Safran Electronics & Defense: Through legacy Sagem, Safran designs dismounted and mounted EO sights (e.g., Swordy/Minie family) and fire-control systems for European armies — directly competitive with OIP's TIGRIS, EOPTRIS, and FINTIR ranges.
Emerging players
- Aselsan: Turkish defence electronics prime with a growing EO/IR and fire-control portfolio; increasingly exporting thermal sights and vehicle optronics to NATO-aligned customers, putting it in emerging competitive overlap with OIP's European footholds.
Broad incumbents
- Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace: Norwegian defence group producing vehicle optronics, remote weapon stations, and tactical EO/IR cameras used by NATO armies; competes with OIP in the platform-mounted sight segment on European tenders.
- Leonardo: Italian Tier-1 defence prime whose optoelectronics division supplies vehicle sights, fire-control systems, and surveillance payloads for army and naval customers across Europe — broader portfolio but overlapping capabilities with OIP.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
OIP N.V. social profiles
Digital presenceOIP N.V. compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
OIP N.V. financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OIP N.V. leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
OIP N.V. subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
OIP N.V. funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OIP N.V. M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about OIP N.V.
What does OIP N.V. do?
OIP designs, develops, and manufactures bespoke electro-optical systems for defence and space applications under the brand OIP Sensor Systems. Its offerings span dismounted soldier equipment (night vision, thermal and clip-on weapon sights), target acquisition and fire control systems for armoured vehicles, surveillance and situational awareness platforms for naval and land platforms, and space-qualified scientific instrumentation including spectrometers and relay optics. Sales occur through direct B2B contracts with defence forces, vehicle manufacturers, weapon system integrators, and space agencies, supported by user training and logistic support services.
Is OIP N.V. a public or private company?
OIP N.V. is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was OIP N.V. founded?
OIP N.V. was founded in 1919. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is OIP N.V. based?
OIP N.V. is headquartered in Oudenaarde, Belgium, in the Europe region.
How does OIP N.V. make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Custom Electro-Optical Defence Systems are the primary driver. The others are space Instruments and Scientific Payloads and user Training and Logistic Support.
Who are OIP N.V.'s main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Elbit Systems, Hensoldt, Excelitas Technologies, Teledyne FLIR, Thales, L3Harris Technologies (WESCAM) and Safran Electronics & Defense. Aselsan is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Leonardo.
Does OIP N.V. have an API?
No public API is recorded for OIP N.V..
What industry is OIP N.V. in?
OIP N.V.'s product category is Electro-Optical Defence and Space Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAGAC, Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors & Targeting Systems, with a secondary code of IMABACAD, Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.