LEONARDO SOARS IN EUROPE WITH 13 VICTORIES IN EDF PROGRAMMES!
Leonardo holds the position of the second largest European contributor in the 2023 European Defence Fund (EDF) operational agenda. The European Commission has recently disclosed the selection of 13 initiatives involving Leonardo: 11 dedicated to capability enhancement and two centered on research. These endeavors are part of a comprehensive set of 54, with engagement from 581 organizations spanning 26 European nations, in addition to Norway.
Aligned with the Commission’s strategy, Leonardo’s successful methodology emphasized substantial engagement of SMEs, alongside a strategic decision to prioritize inclusivity in the organization of consortia and teams. Notably, Leonardo will spearhead two primary projects within the space and air defense sectors: Emissary (European Military Integrated Space Situational Awareness and Recognition capability) and E-CUAS (European Counter UAS), showcasing a significant innovative aspect for the technologies that will be developed, ranking among the projects with the highest European financial support.
Additionally, Leonardo’s involvement in key flagship initiatives for the Commission is particularly remarkable, owing to its
contribution to the strategic self-sufficiency of the continent. These include the EPC2 (European Patrol Corvette 2), focused on prototype development for a new European corvette; ESOCA (European eco-System for Outsized Cargo Airlift), intended to establish a strategic air transport capability; NG-MIMA (Next Generation Military Integrated Modular Avionics), aimed at designing and showcasing crucial technologies for future combat aircraft. Lastly, MARTE (Main ARmoured Tank of Europe) is tasked with the exploration and design of future land platforms.
The total EDF budget for 2023 exceeded 1 billion euros, with funding allocated as follows: 265 million for 28 research initiatives and 766 million for 26 development projects. Italy emerged first regarding the number of successful projects (35), with eight coordinated initiatives, of which Leonardo heads the two most significant, EMISSARY and E-CUAS, greatly contributing to Italy’s overall achievement.
