Safran brings Optronic Sights to MSI’s naval and land gun systems.
Safran Electronics & Defense and MSI-Defence Systems have signed a Franco-British agreement to fit advanced sighting systems to naval and land-based guns, with an initial NATO navy contract already in hand and deliveries set for 2027.
Safran Electronics & Defense and MSI-Defence Systems will jointly develop and promote counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS), under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering the integration of Safran’s optronic sights into MSI’s SEAHAWK naval and TERRAHAWK land gun systems. The two companies intend to serve NATO armed forces and other international customers.
The partnership has already led to an order from a NATO European navy. Safran will supply sighting systems for MSI’s SEAHAWK DS30M 30mm gun mounts fitted aboard mine countermeasure vessels. Deliveries are scheduled for 2027, with each mount receiving VIGEO, Safran’s naval gunner sight. Mounted directly on the gun, it provides day and night target acquisition, laser ranging and fire control.
VIGEO sits alongside PASEO and VIGY 4 in Safran’s range of sights for counter-drone operations. When paired with kinetic or laser-guided effectors, these systems can detect, track and neutralise threats. MSI will also be able to offer customers Safran’s compact targeting sights, long-range surveillance and fire control systems, along with Skyjacker. The latter counters unmanned threats through jamming or remote takeover.
“Building on our experience with armoured vehicles, we are pleased to bring our sights to sea with MSI-Defence Systems. Designed to be platform-agnostic, they adapt to any turret, on land or at sea, and bring real ISR capability to every gun they equip,” said Alexandre Ziegler, Head of the Defense Global Business Unit at Safran Electronics & Defense.
John Meldrum, Managing Director at MSI-Defence Systems, said the agreement brings together the companies’ decades of experience in gunfire technology and Safran’s expertise in land and naval markets. He also described the NATO contract as an endorsement of SEAHAWK’s performance, noting its selection for a second major European programme in a short period.
