**Italy’s Leonardo to Test New ‘Michelangelo’ Air Defense System in Ukraine**
The Italian aerospace and defense company Leonardo SpA plans to test its new air defense system, Michelangelo, in Ukraine by the end of this year.
Lorenzo Mariani, Leonardo’s chief executive officer, announced the initiative during the Ambrosetti Forum. He stated that the company is seeking to deepen cooperation with Ukraine’s military-technological sector through a newly established Kyiv-based subsidiary. This unit is intended to facilitate partnerships, investments, and the development of the Michelangelo system.
According to Mariani, the Michelangelo system is designed to counter drone and ballistic threats. Leonardo is currently testing a component of the system’s anti-drone capabilities in Italy and intends to deploy an artillery layer of the system in Ukraine as a first step. The company is already marketing the system to export clients, prioritizing those who currently utilize Leonardo’s sensor technology, as the company believes these clients can more easily integrate the sensors into the broader Michelangelo architecture.
Mariani emphasized that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to strengthen European defense capabilities through industrial partnerships and resource consolidation. He argued that when European nations coordinate procurement and combine resources, they can produce systems comparable to those manufactured in the United States. As an example, he cited the SAMP/T missile defense system—produced by Eurosam, a joint venture between MBDA and Thales—which he described as being “no less effective than the American Patriot.”
In addition to the Michelangelo project, Mariani provided updates on other collaborative efforts, including the “Bromo” space project, a joint venture with Airbus SE and Thales SA. He noted that the authorization process is progressing and expects the venture to be fully operational by 2028.
Leonardo is also pursuing consolidation strategies in other sectors, including partnerships with Germany’s Rheinmetall AG for ground systems and Turkey’s Baykar for drone technology.
Regarding the collaboration with Ukraine, Mariani praised the local defense industry, noting that Ukraine’s network of small and medium-sized enterprises and startups has demonstrated significant ingenuity in creating innovative, field-tested solutions. “Gathering them directly on the ground is the right way forward,” he said.
Article and image source: fakty.ua
