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The Theon-Hensoldt consortium has secured a landmark contract worth more than €1 billion ($1.17 billion) to supply advanced night vision goggles to the armed forces of Germany and Belgium, marking the largest single night vision procurement ever undertaken by a European NATO member.

Awarded by the Organization for Joint Armament Co-operation (OCCAR), the agreement covers the delivery of approximately 100,000 additional Mikron night vision goggles (NVGs) to Germany and 4,000 units to Belgium.

The contract significantly expands an existing multinational program aimed at standardizing and modernizing night-fighting capabilities across European forces.

The latest award builds on earlier OCCAR contracts for 66,000 NVGs for Germany and 8,000 for Belgium, the majority of which have already been delivered. Under the broader framework, more than 178,000 Mikron systems are now scheduled for delivery by the end of 2030.

Europe’s Largest Procurement of NVGs

The scale of the new order reflects a sharp reassessment of night combat requirements across Europe. Recent conflicts have highlighted the decisive advantage provided by widespread night vision capability, not only for special forces but also for conventional units operating in contested environments.

“Night vision devices are not a luxury; they are essential on today’s battlefield, as recent conflicts have clearly demonstrated,” Theon Deputy CEO and Business Development Director Philippe Mennicken said.

“With this trend evident in Europe and increasingly visible across the APAC (Asia-Pacific) region, Theon expects to continue growing faster than the market in the man-portable segment. Our strategy focuses on cementing our position in night vision and expanding our addressable market, introducing new adjacent products for the soldiers.”

For Germany, the contract represents another major step in the Bundeswehr’s broader modernization effort, driven by increased defense spending and a renewed focus on readiness. Belgium’s decision to convert an existing option into a firm order underscores a parallel commitment to upgrading individual soldier equipment in line with NATO standards.

Exosens to Supply 16mm Image Intensifier Tubes

Central to the program is the role of French optronics firm Exosens, which will supply the image intensifier tubes used in the Mikron goggles. The NVGs will feature compact 16 mm image intensifier tubes produced by Exosens, a format that has increasingly become a reference standard among European NATO members.

In support of the German order, Exosens will deliver more than 200,000 tubes under a contract valued at approximately $587 million. For Belgium, around 8,000 tubes will be supplied. Exosens confirmed last week that it had signed the contract with OCCAR in partnership with Theon International.

“I am extremely proud to announce this contract, which is a strong endorsement of Exosens’ night-vision technology and of the quality of our 16 mm image intensifier tubes,” Exosens Night Vision Chief Commercial Officer Frédéric Guilhem said.

“By combining a very compact and lightweight design with outstanding performance, our tubes at the heart of Theon’s Mikron binocular will give every soldier superior night-time situational awareness and safety,” Guilhem added.

Exosens operates twelve production and research sites across Europe and North America and employs more than 2,000 people. The agreement consolidates its position as a central supplier of intensifier tubes for European armed forces and builds on a long-term commercial framework with Theon and the Theon-Hensoldt consortium covering more than 400,000 tubes.

Mikron-D Design and Advantages

The Mikron-D night vision goggle is based on a dual-tube binocular design, offering superior depth perception compared with single-tube systems. This configuration improves distance judgement, relative motion awareness, and performance during complex tasks such as driving or coordinated movement in low-light conditions.

Designed with special operations requirements in mind but suitable for wider force adoption, each monocular can be flipped away independently, allowing rapid reconfiguration. When stowed, the goggles conform closely to the helmet’s contour, reducing the soldier’s silhouette as well as neck strain and the risk of accidental damage.

The system is powered by a single AA battery and can also be operated via a rear-mounted remote battery pack attached to the helmet, extending operational endurance during prolonged missions.

Compared with older 18 mm tube generations, the 16 mm format reduces overall weight while maintaining sufficient resolution for target identification at short and medium range. This balance is particularly relevant for high-intensity night engagements in urban terrain or complex environments, where mobility and endurance are critical.

NATO’s Night Vision Standard

The OCCAR agreement formalizes a technical standard that has already been tested and adopted by several NATO members. Germany identified the operational potential of 16 mm tubes as early as 2015 and acted as a pioneer within the alliance. Belgium, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, and Poland have since adopted the same architecture.

By converging on a shared standard, participating nations benefit from simplified training, logistics, and maintenance, particularly during multinational deployments. The contract concluded at the end of 2025, consolidates this framework beyond Germany’s national requirement and strengthens interoperability across European forces.

At the tactical level, the program supports a “one soldier, one goggle” concept, aiming to equip every frontline soldier with a modern night vision device. This approach contrasts with earlier practices in which such equipment was reserved primarily for high-readiness units or special forces.

The wider distribution of night vision capability evens out perception across platoons, reduces blind spots in surveillance, and limits the need for artificial lighting, which can easily expose positions to an adversary. Training procedures remain close to those used for earlier generations, reducing disruption while dramatically expanding coverage.

Strategic Implications

In operational terms, Mikron goggles are increasingly integrated into digital command and control environments. Combined with encrypted communications and individual radios, they function as short-range sensors contributing to a shared tactical picture.

During patrols, they enhance the detection of silhouettes, unlit vehicles, and subtle movement. In urban operations, improved image intensification helps identify weapons, tripwires, and concealed access points, reducing the risk of close-range ambush.

For mechanized and armored units, equipping accompanying infantry with modern night vision improves coordination during night dismounts, river crossings, and convoy security operations.

At the strategic level, the OCCAR-managed program supports the structuring of a resilient European defense industrial and technological base in land optronics. In a security environment shaped by the war in Ukraine, renewed German investment and increased NATO activity on the eastern flank, the ability to equip forces rapidly and at scale with night-fighting equipment has become a key indicator of military credibility.

By pooling demand and relying on a European industrial tandem, the program strengthens Europe’s position in global competition and reinforces its role as a provider of integrated soldier-level combat solutions, from individual sensors to networked battlefield systems.