Ukrainian defense tech company “Oko Camera” has opened a subsidiary in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, where it plans to establish production of combat thermal imaging cameras. By the end of 2027, the manufacturer expects to reach a capacity of up to 100,000 units per year. The products are planned to be supplied, in particular, for the needs of Ukraine’s Defense Forces.

Oko Camera specializes in developing thermal imaging modules for drones, ground-based robotic systems, remotely operated turrets, and autonomous visual navigation systems. The company has been operating since 2022 and develops its own technologies, including optics, electronics, and software. One of its core manufacturing principles is independence from Chinese components.

Technical Specifications of the Thermal Imaging Cameras

The manufacturer offers two main lines of thermal imaging modules — Oko Core and Oko Pro. They are designed for different use cases in unmanned and robotic systems.

Oko Core — cameras oriented toward operation in demanding combat conditions. Their construction is designed to withstand strong impacts, vibrations, and explosion blasts.

Oko Pro is designed for systems with computer vision algorithms. In particular, they can be integrated into anti-FPV turrets, counter-drone systems (C-UAS), and visual navigation systems. The cameras support transmission of raw thermal video for artificial intelligence algorithms and processed imagery for the operator.

Basic specifications of the Oko Pro line:

  • Sensor: Uncooled LWIR microbolometer.
  • Resolution: 640 × 480 pixels.
  • Pixel pitch: 17 µm.
  • NETD sensitivity: less than 30 mK.
  • Frame rate: 30 or 60 Hz.
  • Lenses: nine options with a horizontal field of view ranging from 108° to 4.2°.
  • Image transmission latency: less than 34 ms or 17 ms depending on configuration.

Thanks to the variety of optical options, the manufacturer can adapt the cameras to surveillance tasks at different ranges. Wide-angle lenses provide a larger field of view, while telephoto lenses allow for more detailed observation of distant objects.

Currently in development is Oko S — a new camera for reconnaissance drones, which the company is developing according to SWaP-C principles (optimization of size, weight, power consumption, and cost). It will feature a European sensor with a resolution of 640 × 480 pixels and a pixel pitch of 12 µm. NETD sensitivity will be less than 35 mK. This line is scheduled to enter the market in the first quarter of 2027.

Another development is Oko HD, featuring a sensor with a resolution of 1280 × 1024 pixels — four times more pixels compared to previous lines. The camera is intended primarily for observing distant objects and improving the accuracy of their identification. The device is currently at the prototype stage.

Production in Europe

The expansion into the Netherlands is intended to help Oko Camera establish an independent European supply chain, attract technology partners, and accelerate the development of new products. The company also plans to collaborate with local research institutions in the fields of photonics and optics.

According to co-founder and CEO Denys Nikolaienko, the European presence opens access to industrial partnerships, specialists, and investment opportunities.