LEONARDO TAKES CENTER STAGE IN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF EUROPEAN DEFENSE INNOVATION

Leonardo, a prominent global leader in high-tech Aerospace Defence and Security, has secured 18 research and development initiatives (R&D), which include ten capability enhancement and eight research projects, funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF) WP22 (Work Program 2022).

The EDF serves as the European Commission’s cornerstone for fostering defence collaboration through competitive and cooperative schemes, encompassing the entire R&D continuum. The EDF bolsters the EU’s strategic independence and promotes the formation of a more competitive and unified European defence technological and industrial framework. This pertains to advanced initiatives and interoperable technologies and equipment, alongside its encouragement of innovation and SME engagement. The total EDF investment amounts to 832 million euros allocated by the EU, distributed among 41 successful projects, out of 134 proposals submitted by firms across 26 European nations, including Norway. Italy has received funding for a total of 31 projects.

Leonardo’s engaged projects secured approximately 74% of the funding designated for WP 22, which translates to about 614 million euros from the overall 832 million euros.

Leonardo, aided by substantial contributions from the Group’s subsidiaries, investees, and Labs/Cloud Computing, obtained funding for R&D endeavors in 11 distinct categories across electronics, aviation, cybersecurity, and aerospace sectors, spearheading with the TIRESYAS (Technology Innovation for euRopEan radar SYstem ApplicationS) program.

Five additional successful initiatives prominently involve companies controlled and/or partnered with Leonardo: Telespazio, Larimart, Elettronica, MBDA IT, and the CREO Consortium.

Noteworthy projects involving Leonardo consist of:

• Technology Innovation for European Radar Systems Application (TIRESYAS) focuses on developing a new family of multi-domain (air-sea-land) sensors that share both architectural solutions for hardware components and software functionalities, aimed at fulfilling diverse missions across various application domains. This harnesses the full potential of digital advancements, facilitating the deployment of algorithms driven by Artificial Intelligence. Leonardo will lead a consortium of 29 entities at the European level, including Thales, Indra, Hensoldt, Saab, and Italian organizations such as CNIT along with other specialized Italian SMEs. The project’s total value is approximately 15 million euros with a duration of 36 months.
• EC2 (European Command and Control System) is intended for the creation of the forthcoming strategic command and control architecture for the European Union (EU), empowering the EU External Action Service to achieve the ambitions outlined in the Strategic Compass. This initiative, coordinated by Indra, encompasses 21 European partners and will last for 24 months, boasting a total value of around 47 million euros.
• ASETT (Future Air System for European Tactical Transportation) will explore specifications and market potentials for the development of a new fixed-wing platform dedicated to military tactical transport. The feasibility assessment aims specifically to conduct a needs evaluation regarding the replacement of tactical transport aircraft in the fleets of EU member nations by the 2030-40 timeframe, identifying avenues for collaborative development. Backed by EDF for 30.06 million euros over 18 months, this project, led by Airbus, will engage 11 member states and 33 European collaborators.
• ODIN’S EYE II (multinational Development INitiative for a Space-based Missile Early Warning Architecture II) will aid the ongoing advancement of the European Space-based Missile Early Warning (SBMEW) architecture, initiated under the EDIDP (European Defence Industrial Development Programme) in 2020. The goal of the Member States is to establish a joint warning mechanism to address existing and forthcoming threats to EU security. Coordinated by OHB System AG, this project involves 38 European partners, will span 36 months, and has a total value of approximately 96 million euros.