Shares of night vision goggle manufacturer Exosens are rising during its debut on the Paris stock exchange

  • Exosens has raised just under £300 million for its initial public offering

Shares of a night vision goggles manufacturer rose yesterday on their debut on the Paris stock exchange.

Exosens – which also makes photo sensor technology for the military – has raised just under £300 million for its initial public offering.

Listed European defense companies, including those of Great Britain BAE systemshave cashed in during the war between Russia and Ukraine thanks to an increase in orders from the armed forces.

Looking ahead, Exosens’ surge means the company is valued at around £940m

Exosens’ surge means it is valued at around £940m. Shares closed 12.5 percent higher.

The financiers include private equity group HLD, which owns almost 53 percent of the shares. French state investment bank Bpifrance will also acquire a 4.5 percent stake.

In 2020, the French government had blocked a deal that could have been bought by American conglomerate Teledyne.

CEO Jerome Cerisier said his company will expand its business in high-end technology following recent acquisitions in that area.