RIEGL: European LiDAR Systems for Defense and Security
High-performance LiDAR has become indispensable for modern surveying, mapping, and security applications. One European pioneer in this field is RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems, an Austrian firm renowned for its innovative airborne, mobile, and terrestrial laser scanning solutions[1][2]. Founded by Dr. Johannes Riegl in 1978, RIEGL combines decades of optical and radar expertise to meet demanding geospatial challenges. Its systems enable the capture of dense 3D point clouds for terrain mapping, infrastructure inspection, and dynamic situational awareness – tasks of growing importance to European defense and security planners. As Europe seeks to build strategic autonomy in sensors and surveillance, RIEGL exemplifies a continental supplier of advanced LiDAR, offering an alternative to non-EU sources. This report will explore RIEGL’s corporate structure, technology portfolio, and strategic alignment with EU/NATO priorities, assessing how its capabilities contribute to EU sovereign defense and joint deterrence.