Thales has unveiled a compact counter-sniper capability aimed at making it significantly harder for snipers to remain concealed during daylight operations. The new solution, known as the Modular Counter Sniper System, is designed to detect optical reflections from sniper scopes, binoculars, and camera lenses used for long-range targeting.
The system employs goggles equipped with two selectable optical filters, combined with a beam shaper that can be attached to standard pointing lasers. This configuration enables soldiers to actively scan their surroundings for hostile optics, highlighting reflections that reveal the position of a shooter. Unlike traditional counter-sniper systems, the Thales solution is optimized for portability and rapid use in the field.
According to the company, the new design builds on a previous long-range detection system capable of identifying optical threats from distances of up to one kilometer. However, earlier iterations were deemed impractical for frontline troops due to their size and weight. Thales has since miniaturized the technology, integrating it into equipment that many soldiers already carry as part of their standard kit.
The Modular Counter Sniper System is intended exclusively for daytime missions, as night-time and low-light counter-sniper detection is already addressed by existing technologies. While Thales has not disclosed a production timeline, company officials stated that work is underway to finalize a market-ready version, with the goal of fielding the system to operational units as quickly as possible.
