France’s MERIO develops drone-based laser targeting system
French technology company MERIO has announced the development of a new unmanned system designed to guide precision weapons using a laser beam, a capability aimed at improving strike accuracy while keeping human operators safely out of harm’s way.
The system enables a drone to “illuminate” or mark targets with a laser designator, allowing heavier strike platforms to conduct precise attacks from long range. The concept reflects a growing emphasis on networked targeting technologies in modern warfare, where unmanned systems play a central role in surveillance and strike coordination.
“New exciting project with the French Armed Forces! Laser designation from drones — sounds familiar? MERIO keeps pushing the limits of innovation to ensure mission success,” the company said in a statement announcing the program.
MERIO develops and produces lightweight, high-performance gimbals and optronic systems for aerial and maritime platforms. Built in France, the company’s products integrate advanced electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensors, offering stabilized imaging and targeting capability in challenging environments. These systems are designed to meet the operational requirements of both defense and civil security missions.
The new drone-based laser designation system will allow forward observation and target marking to be conducted remotely, enabling precision strikes by artillery, aircraft, or naval platforms without exposing personnel to frontline danger. The technology is expected to complement existing battlefield targeting solutions used by the French Armed Forces and European defense partners.
The announcement follows MERIO’s expanding collaboration with TEKEVER, a European manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles. The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the UAV Show 2025 in Bordeaux, outlining a plan to integrate MERIO’s Milvus gimbal systems into TEKEVER’s aerial ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) platforms.
Under the agreement, MERIO and TEKEVER will evaluate and demonstrate how Milvus sensors can enhance modular ISR capabilities across TEKEVER’s UAV family. The partnership also includes joint research, system testing, and the development of sovereign European technologies suited for defense and civil protection missions.
With laser targeting now a core feature in modern precision warfare, unmanned platforms equipped with stabilized EO/IR payloads are increasingly seen as a critical link between reconnaissance and strike assets. By developing an integrated drone-based solution, MERIO aims to provide the French Armed Forces with a flexible, scalable capability adaptable to a wide range of operational environments.
