Verified Nov 2026
Electronics & Software
·
Orleans, Centre
·
Since 1966
Cilas is a French engineering company founded in 1966 and headquartered in Orléans, France. It designs and manufactures laser systems and precision optical components, including laser designators and counter-sniper optical sight systems. Its employee count is in the 200-500 band, with estimated revenue of $10-50M. The company serves the defense, security, space, automotive, electronics, and industrial equipment sectors. In 2026 it presented HELMA-P, a counter-drone hard-kill solution mounted on an unmanned ground vehicle, at the DVD 2026 exhibition.
Cilas at a glance
Revenue
$10-50M
Est. band
Employees
200-500
Founded
1966
Headquarters
Orleans, Centre
Certifications
ISO 14001 · ISO 9001
Industries
Automotive
Electric Vehicles
Electronics
Military & Defense
Renewable Energy
Industrial Equipment
STABILITY SIGNALS
Established & active
60 years in operation (founded 1966).
Holds ISO 14001, ISO 9001 certification(s) per public sources.
Overview
Cilas is a French engineering company founded in 1966 and headquartered in Orléans, France. It designs and manufactures laser systems and precision optical components, including laser designators and counter-sniper optical sight systems. Its employee count is in the 200-500 band, with estimated revenue of $10-50M. The company serves the defense, security, space, automotive, electronics, and industrial equipment sectors. In 2026 it presented HELMA-P, a counter-drone hard-kill solution mounted on an unmanned ground vehicle, at the DVD 2026 exhibition.
At a glance
Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
Founded | 1966 |
Headquarters | Orleans, Centre |
Employees | 200-500 |
Revenue | $10-50M (estimated) |
Primary capability | Electronics & Software |
Certifications | ISO 14001 · ISO 9001 |
What Cilas makes
Cilas holds ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications and lists electronics and optical coating among its products, including laser designators, adaptive optics, and optical thin film coatings.
Products and capabilities described on the company's own site include Electronics, Coating (source: cilas.com).
Certifications
Cilas is associated with the following certifications in public sources. Confirm the certified scope for the specific plant producing your part:
Latest developments
2026-09-23 — DVD 2026: HELMA-P - Cilas' UGV-mounted Counter-Drone Hard Kill Solution (overtdefense.com)
2026-09-21 — DISCOVER CILAS' NEW DESIGNATORS LASER BROCHURES | cilas-laser (cilas.com)
2026-08-03 — Electronique. Le breton Lumibird cède ses parts dans Cilas mais reprend la maintenance d’un laser stratégique pour la France (ouest-france.fr)
2026-07-24 — Lumibird cède 37 % de Cilas et renforce sa position dans les lasers stratégiques (abcbourse.com)
2026-03-19 — SYDERAL | cilas-laser (cilas.com)
2025-10-31 — Axiscades, France's Cilas partners for laser-based anti-drone systems - The HinduBusinessLine (thehindubusinessline.com)
Company details
Cilas is a privately held company that, according to its public profile, is a subsidiary of MBDA and Safran Electronics & Defense, with a significant share of turnover coming from exports. Cilas was founded in 1966, has an estimated 200-500 employees, and is headquartered in Orleans, Centre. On the LightSource stability read it is rated "Established & active": 60 years in operation (founded 1966). Holds ISO 14001, ISO 9001 certification(s) per public sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does Cilas make?
Cilas is a French engineering company founded in 1966 and headquartered in Orléans, France. It designs and manufactures laser systems and precision optical components, including laser designators and counter-sniper optical sight systems. Its employee count is in the 200-500 band, with estimated revenue of $10-50M. The company serves the defense, security, space, automotive, electronics, and industrial equipment sectors. In 2026 it presented HELMA-P, a counter-drone hard-kill solution mounted on an unmanned ground vehicle, at the DVD 2026 exhibition.
Where is Cilas headquartered?
Cilas is headquartered in Orleans, Centre (8 Avenue de Buffon, Orleans, Centre, 45100).
When was Cilas founded?
Cilas was founded in 1966.
How big is Cilas?
Cilas has an estimated 200-500 employees, with revenue in the $10-50M range (estimated).
What certifications does Cilas hold?
Cilas lists ISO 14001 · ISO 9001 on its website. Confirm the certified scope for the specific plant producing your part.
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Last verified Nov 2026. Is this your company? Request a correction.
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