Leonardo’s cutting edge technologies and the new GCAP fighter aircraft highlight Italy’s aerospace prowess. Key meetings strengthen international defence cooperation and underscore Italy’s global security role
Italian aerospace triumph. After a strong Italian presence, the Farnborough Air Show concludes today, underscoring Italy’s significant role in the global aerospace and defence sectors.
- Major Italian companies, such as Leonardo, the largest Italian aerospace and defence company, participated in the event, which showcased cutting-edge technologies and solutions.
- The ceremony was attended by the Italian Defence Minister, Guido Crosetto, accompanied by high-ranking officials from the army and the air force.
- Throughout the week, Minister Crosetto, alongside the Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, visited various Italian stands representing regions like Piedmont, Umbria, and Latium.
Leonardo’s global showcase. Leonardo attracted significant attention with its advanced technologies in defence and aerospace, showcasing innovations from helicopters to defence systems.
- One of the highlights of the Air Show was unveiling the new version of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a sixth-generation fighter aircraft set to be a cornerstone of future aviation systems in London, Rome, and Tokyo.
- The program, a collaboration between Italy, the United Kingdom, and Japan, aims to create a solid and cohesive defence strategy that reflects the countries’ commitment to enhancing global security.
- The company’s display underscored its ongoing dedication to technological excellence and global security, with the Italian pavilion at Farnborough acting as a testament to the nation’s leading role in the aerospace sector.
- This was further exemplified by the launch of a capacity enhancement program for the M-346 training aircraft that was announced during the Air Show. This program includes avionics, navigation and identification capabilities, mission equipment and ground training, and the implementation of digital solutions based on AI.
Defence diplomacy strengthened. Crucial moments during the show included the trilateral meeting between Minister Crosetto, his Japanese counterpart Minoru Kihara, and Secretary of State for Defence John Healey at the Palace of White Hall and a subsequent bilateral meeting between Crosetto and Kihara at the Italian embassy.
- The meetings focused on discussing the GCAP, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in strengthening defence systems.
- “Cordial and useful meeting with my Japanese colleague Kihara Minoru. Among the topics discussed was industrial collaboration, particularly the GCAP program, for which it is essential to meet deadlines due to its significant technological and scientific impact. Additionally, we emphasised intensifying training activities to ensure interoperability between the Italian and Japanese Armed Forces. We also reiterated the importance of the Indo-Pacific area for global and Italian commercial traffic,” stated Minister Crosetto after the meeting on X.
- Such collaborations are vital for ensuring a safer and more stable global future, reflecting Italy’s proactive stance in international defence partnerships.
