Leonardo

Rheinmetall and MBDA will develop a high-energy laser weapon for the German Navy, expected to be operational by 2029. The system, tested on the frigate Sachsen, is designed to counter drones and will leverage German supply chains for production.

Italy dismantled a Russian spy ring collecting data on Ukrainian air defense systems, including Europe’s Samp-T and Italy’s Michelangelo Dome. A former Italian intelligence official, Gavino Piras, allegedly provided information to a Russian GRU officer, Mikhail Astakov, in exchange for cash payments.

Japan, Italy, and the U.K. secured a £4.6 billion contract for the GCAP sixth-generation fighter jet, enabling its development phase after the U.K. resolved funding delays. The tri-nation consortium Edgewing, comprising BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd., will advance design and technology under the agreement.

The UK secured £8.6 billion in funding for the tri-nation GCAP fighter program, enabling a new contract with Edgewing before the Farnborough Airshow. Delays in the UK's Defence Investment Plan (DIP) caused tensions with Italy and Japan, but the funding commitment alleviated immediate concerns and allowed progress on the sixth-generation jet project.

Leonardo and Baykar have completed test flights for manned-unmanned teaming. The program aims to develop interoperability between crewed and uncrewed aircraft.

Leonardo and Baykar successfully tested in-flight control of a Baykar Kizilelma drone from an Italian M-346 jet trainer during a loyal wingman trial in Turkey. The test, part of a 2023 cooperation deal, involved advanced data exchange systems and validated Crewed/UnCrewed Teaming (CUC-T) algorithms. Future tests with increased complexity are planned.

Italy is considering Germany's involvement in the GCAP fighter jet project, according to Leonardo chief Lorenzo Mariani. Mariani noted that Germany's participation would slow progress but offer benefits, following the collapse of the competing FCAS program.

Germany is considering joining the Italo-Japanese-UK GCAP fighter program, but Leonardo CEO Lorenzo Mariani warned that adding a new member could delay the 2035 target for the jet's first flight. The announcement follows the collapse of the French-German FCAS program, with Germany now evaluating options including purchasing F-35s, joining existing programs, or launching a new fighter project led by Germany and Airbus.

The International Test Pilot School in Canada will purchase up to 12 M-346 trainer jets from Leonardo starting in 2029 to train pilots on 5th-generation aircraft. The jets, chosen for their advanced cockpit technology, replace the current L-39s and are used by multiple air forces globally.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has removed the CEO of Leonardo, a defense and aerospace company, while reappointing senior executives at energy firms Eni and Enel. The decision reflects her administration's focus on strategic industrial leadership.