Estonia's Company of the Year Is Defence Firm HEVI Optronics
Defence technology company HEVI Optronics has been named Company of the Year at Estonia's Best Companies 2026 awards. Its sales almost tripled last year, passing €27 million.
At an awards ceremony on Saturday evening in Estonia, defence technology company HEVI Optronics was named Company of the Year at the "Best Companies of Estonia 2026" event. The firm develops and manufactures high-tech systems used in unmanned ground vehicles, patrol boats, autonomous maritime drones, armoured vehicles and border security systems. A separate Young Entrepreneur award was also presented.
A fast growth path
HEVI Optronics was founded in 2021. Since then it has moved from development to stable production and now exports worldwide, including to the US Navy. One of the key events of the year was the decision by Quantum Systems, a German defence technology group, to acquire a controlling stake in the company. The deal makes the Estonian firm part of a fast-growing European unmanned systems group.
Sales almost tripled last year, exceeding €27 million. A new factory is being built in Tabasalu with room for expansion, while the engineering team is being built up in developer offices located near Tallinn University of Technology and the University of Tartu. The products meet the highest NATO standards.
Company chief executive Kristjan Tiimus said the security situation demands a new generation of reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting systems right now. He also said the company has built a strategic bridge between Estonia's engineering education and the European defence technology market.
Employers' assessment
Hando Sutter, head of the Estonian Employers' Confederation, said HEVI Optronics does exactly what the Estonian economy needs most: its engineers create a unique product sold on export markets, and most of the work is done in Estonia. This brings high added value. In his view, the company's story shows that investing in engineering skills can lead to success even for a small country. Sutter added that the firm helps train a new generation of engineers.
Young Entrepreneur of the Year
The Young Entrepreneur of the Year title went to Leet Rauno Lember, business manager and owner of defence technology company Marduk Technologies. The company has formed partnerships with leading global defence industry firms, and almost all of its sales revenue comes from foreign markets.
