🔒French defense tech firm undertaking Sturbridge expansion

Photonis USA NV, the American subsidiary of French defense technology firm Exosens, has received $1.02 million in state tax credits for a night vision manufacturing facility in Sturbridge. The Sturbridge expansion comes as part of a larger $20-million investment from Exosens, an effort to expand its night vision device production capacity to meet demand, according to a March press release from the firm. The facility will be part of the footprint of an existing Exosens site at 660 Main St. location, used by its Photonis Scientific Inc. subsidiary. This will be the company’s first U.S. manufacturing site for image intensifier tubes used in military night vision equipment. The new facility will create 25 jobs, according to a Dec. 17 press release from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Economic Development announcing the state tax credits.   The state's press release listed the cost at $12 million, but David Masiello, president of Boylston-based RP Masiello, said the total cost of the project will be in the $15-20 million range. His firm is working on the project on behalf of site owner Chacharone Properties, based in Worcester. “We are pleased to announce a new investment in our capacity on the U.S. ground, which represents a major step in our strategy,” Exosens CEO Jérôme Cerisier said in the March press release. “Expansion into the US market presents a significant opportunity to strengthen our position as a global leader in image intensifier tubes. This new capacity will also enable us to meet customers' demand for large-volume, high-performance products manufactured in the US.” Manufacturing at the site is expected to begin in early 2027. Photonis did not respond to an email seeking more information on the expansion. The investment comes as NATO countries have increased their procurement of night vision systems as part of broader modernization efforts. Exosens announced in December a joint effort with Cyprus-based Tehon International to supply 100,000 night vision binoculars to the German military, according to a Dec. 10 press release. EDITOR'S NOTE: This story has been updated with additional information on the project.  Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the real estate and banking & finance industries.