OIP, a member of the Elbit Systems Group, has carved out a distinguished presence in optics, electro-optics, defence, and space technology. Founded in 1919 in Ghent, Belgium and later relocated to Oudenaarde, the company has over a century of expertise in high-precision optics and engineering. Today, it stands as a leader in its field, offering cutting-edge solutions across three primary divisions: OIP Sensor Systems – the original core business, OIP Space Instruments launched in 2021, and OIP Land Systems, acquired in 2010.
Throughout its history, OIP has developed and manufactured some world premières such as the first “Optical Sight” or Head-Up Display for fighter aircraft (NATO F-104 Starfighter) and the first Fire Control Systems for Main Battle Tanks (LEOPARD 1) in Belgium, Canada and Australia in collaboration with SABCA.
“All three divisions have enjoyed successful development and have great prospects,” says Freddy Versluys, the company CEO, adding that the original core business, OIP Sensor Systems, continues to account for about 80% of OIP’s turnover.
“While OIP Sensor Systems and OIP Space Instruments have a similar focus and boast state-of-the-art laboratories including clean rooms, OIP Land Systems is different. Established in 1967 as a military surplus trading company, formerly known as Sabiex International, the business is a specialist in the upgrade of a wide range of military vehicle platforms.”
When asked what enables OIP to compete successfully with much large players like Safran, Thales and BAE, he says: “We are small and flexible. We have a multi-functional workforce and a strong team of engineers who embrace challenges and as a result, can always adapt our products to the very specific needs of the customer. We don’t engage in mass production; we are a project-based business.”
Ground-breaking innovations
The company has an impressive track record. OIP Sensor Systems is a technology leader in the field of design, development, production and sales of high-end electro-optical systems and components for defence and aerospace applications, and offers a comprehensive range of products, including night vision devices (portable and platform mounted), pilots’ night vision goggles, weapon sights, thermal imagers, IR laser pointers, eye-safe laser rangefinders, day/night periscope sights, fire control systems.
Outstanding products from OIP Sensor Systems include Eoptris, an electro optical sight, equipped with a wide range of advanced sensors that provides 24-hour observation and surveillance capabilities; and Sentinel, a 360-degree day-and-night military vehicle thermal situational awareness system with motion detection and threat detection. “These innovations have gained traction internationally, with deployments across Europe, Chile, and other regions,” says Freddy Versluys.
The newest division, OIP Space Instruments, designs and delivers electro-optical high-end customised spaceborne solutions for international development projects. Versluys points out that today, there is no planet in our solar system which doesn’t have a peninsula of OIP around it or even on it.
“Within the Space Instruments division, two major projects stand out. The first one is ALTUS, a ground-breaking three-layer hyperspectral camera developed to study ozone in the Earth’s atmosphere. With over 250,000 engineering hours invested, it is considered the most complex instrument ever built in Belgium. We have also designed CLIM, a cloud imaging system developed for the European Space Agency’s Sentinel program.”
While the first two divisions are R&D based, OIP Land Systems division, with its focus on surplus military vehicles refurbishment, has a more physical aspect. Its latest achievements include the delivery of 266 military vehicles to the Ukraine through different European governments. “At the beginning of the war, we had 430 military heavy vehicles and were one of the only companies able to deliver military vehicles right from stock and at very short notice,” says Versluys.
Global reach and major contracts
He affirms that OIP operates predominantly in international markets, with only 5% of its business coming from Belgian contracts. Over recent years, the company has participated in a number of prestigious projects.
For example, OIP was the prime contractor for the €65 million contract with the French Direction Générale de l’Armement for weapon sights, sniper rifles, and ammunition; and enjoys exclusive supplier status for all sensors on India’s Arjun main battle tank. OIP Land Systems is also participating in a major military vehicle upgrade project in Chile.
“Partnerships are vital for our success. As we do not engage in large-scale production but focus on engineering, development, final assembly, and integration, relationships with our suppliers and subcontractors are key.”
“We collaborate with our subcontractors from the very early stages of a project as 80% of the cost of a product is already defined in the engineering. As a project-based business, we outsource around 55-60% of our manufacturing,” says Versluys, noting that while the company tries to source as much as possible locally, some specialised components and technologies, such as optics, are no longer available in Europe and are shipped from India and the Far East.
Good times ahead
Recruiting skilled engineers is one of OIP’s biggest challenges, he admits. With an existing engineering team of 75 people from 15 different nationalities, OIP struggles to find further top-tier technical talent. The lack of interest in defence-related fields in Belgian universities has exacerbated the issue, though changing geopolitical circumstances are slowly altering perceptions.
“We do look well after our employees, and sustaining know-how within the company is an important task. Our company’s workforce is loyal, with several employees celebrating over 35 years of service,” says Versluys, who himself has been in the company for over 35 years.
Although he will soon pass the leadership baton to the younger generation and move to more of a support and advisory role in the Board of Directors, he will continue to be excited to be part of the company’s development in the coming years.
“OIP is poised for significant growth due to increasing global defence expenditures. European nations, influenced by geopolitical tensions, are boosting their defence budgets, creating new opportunities for our products. Investment in space technologies is also increasing. Given developments on the global scale, there are exciting and challenging times ahead.”
