In just 4 years, Estonian tech firm HEVI Optronics has risen from a startup idea into a serious international player in the field of military-grade camera systems. Named Estonia’s Defence Industry Company of the Year in 2024, the company has built a reputation for precision engineering, strategic focus, and quiet determination.
“We didn’t take bank loans, we have no investors – the entire development process was carried out at our own risk and personal accountability,” says Kristjan Tiimus, CEO of HEVI Optronics. “We built the company on trust, shared experience, and a clear plan.”
“It was as if the stars aligned – we sensed a shift in the market and realised it was the right time to act.”
Kristjan Tiimus, CEO of HEVI Optronics
The idea emerged in late 2020, and the company was officially founded in March 2021. Tiimus describes it as a moment of opportunity: “It was as if the stars aligned – we sensed a shift in the market and realised it was the right time to act.” From the outset, the company committed to a strict principle: no prototypes, no partial solutions. “We knew we didn’t want to sell anything unfinished.”
Instead of targeting end users such as the armed forces directly, HEVI Optronics chose a B2B strategy. Their camera systems are integrated and sold by large defence contractors under their own brands. “We don’t chase end clients – our focus is on building partnerships,” explains Tiimus. That decision helped them overcome a steep market entry barrier.
Small team, big capabilities
With just 20 employees, the team has delivered results that rival companies ten times their size. “People are often surprised that such a small team can manage serious, high-level projects,” says Tiimus. Their edge lies in planning; the core architecture was designed early and built to be modular and future-proof.
HEVI Optronics stands out by offering complete turnkey systems. Each solution includes cameras, mounts, control units, cables, power systems, and clear documentation – all packaged in rugged military cases. “When the client opens the case, everything’s there. You plug it in, and it’s ready to go,” Tiimus says. Even frontline soldiers can be trained to use the system in under 30 minutes – full capability, rapidly deployed.
Their systems are deployed on tanks, armoured vehicles, naval platforms, radar towers, and stationary positions. Photo: HEVI Optronics
Technical simplicity for the user does not mean compromise on capability. Their systems are robust, versatile, and certified to military standards. “The system itself is complex, but it must be operable under pressure in tough environments by non-experts,” says Tiimus.
Speed of support is another key differentiator. While global manufacturers often take months to respond to service issues, HEVI Optronics guarantees immediate reaction times and provides replacement units if needed. “That attitude is why clients want to work with us,” says Tiimus.
Kalev Koidumäe, CEO of the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association, calls HEVI Optronics a model for the entire sector. “They’re not the loudest, but they are one of the most focused and disciplined companies in the field. They built quietly, delivered consistently, and are now ahead of the curve.”
Future-focused and field-proven
The company is committed exclusively to military applications. While their camera technology could be used in civil security or infrastructure monitoring, they’ve chosen to remain focused. “We don’t compete with low-end surveillance – we build only military cameras,” Tiimus states.
Their systems are deployed on tanks, armoured vehicles, naval platforms, radar towers, and stationary positions. They’re designed to be remotely operated over satellite or long-range fibre connections, allowing users to control them from hundreds or even thousands of kilometres away. Imagine that – commanding a frontline camera from across the continent.
“Companies like HEVI Optronics prove that Estonia can punch above its weight in defence tech. They show what’s possible when a team stays focused and follows through.”
Kalev Koidumäe, CEO of the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association
Modularity allows different sensors to be accepted by the same camera head – from thermal imagers to lasers – depending on the mission. “Our architecture allows clients to quickly swap out components, even in the field,” explains Tiimus.
While the systems do not include in-house AI, they are built to support it. “We don’t build AI algorithms ourselves, but our cameras are ready to run them,” Tiimus says. “Our partners can install drone detection, object recognition, or other advanced tools – that’s a strategic decision. We stay focused on what we do best.”
Production has grown rapidly: in their third year, HEVI Optronics produced €4.5 million worth of systems; in the fourth, that doubled to €10 million. In 2024, they plan to produce 500–1000 systems. Most are deployed in Ukraine, but systems are also shipped to the US, Japan, Africa, and Asia.
“Companies like HEVI Optronics prove that Estonia can punch above its weight in defence tech,” says Koidumäe. “They show what’s possible when a team stays focused and follows through.”
As for the Defence Company of the Year title, Tiimus is modest: “It’s not a badge we measure ourselves by. We’re still small – just 20 enthusiasts building high-end cameras. But we’re ahead of our original plan, and we’re moving forward with confidence.”
And yes – they’re just getting started.
This content is funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.
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