MBDA Pitches AQUILA as a Counter to Manoeuvrable Hypersonics
MBDA has provided details on its previously unveiled AQUILA air defence missile being developed to take out hypersonic threats like HGVs and cruise missiles.
Italy News
Weapon / Missile
Land
Ammunition
US Army Picks VULCANO 155 GLR for Its New Artillery Guns
General Dynamics will produce the VULCNO 155 GLR guided artillery round developed by Leonardo for 155 mm guns, per the US Army’s awarding of a new contract.
Land
Weapon / Missile
Expo and Air Show
FNSS and CSG Unveil CFL-120 Medium Tank at IDEB2026
Turkish FNSS and the Czechia-based CSG unveiled the CFL-120 KARPAT medium tank developed from the KAPLAN MT medium tank, fitted with HITFACT MKII turret.
Land
Bilateral Relations
Brazilian Army Officials Visit Otokar, TULPAR AFVs on Focus
Otokar presented the medium tank and IFV configurations of its TULPAR tracked AFV to the Brazilian Army officials, which is being offered for the VBC tender.
Navy / Maritime
Unmanned Systems
Italian Navy chief raises Baykar TB3 option for ITS Cavour
Italian Navy chief tells Senate TB3 could operate from carrier Cavour via Baykar–Leonardo cooperation, echoing TurDef’s 2025 report on potential integration.
Air
Weapon / Missile
MBDA Launches Development for STRATUS Cruise Missiles
Following the completion of the assessment, MBDA’s multi-national STRATUS cruise missile programme with two missiles is moving towards the development phase.
Air
Unmanned Systems
Communication
Leonardo Plans MUM-T Tests with M-346F and KIZILELMA in 2026
During a press conference, Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani stated that demonstrations for MUM-T with KIZILELMA unmanned fighter will commence in mid-2026.
Navy / Maritime
Weapon / Missile
Italy Turns to Plug & Play Minelaying Modules for New Ships
The Italian MoD is in search of a containerised minelaying system that can be used with current naval mines and integrated on the new ships’ sterns.
Land
Investment
Leonardo acquires Iveco defence business in €1.7bn deal
Leonardo has completed the €1.7 billion acquisition of Iveco, expanding into land systems as consolidation accelerates across Europe’s defence industry.
Land
Simulator / AI / Drill/ Software
Unmanned Systems
Digital Shield: Interceptor UAV and MHR Radar Team Up
Digital Shield event held in Estonia included the teaming of Leonardo’s MHR AESA radar and an interceptor kamikaze UAV as a demonstration of a C-UAS system.
Air
Leonardo Shows the Next Step After AW609 Light Tiltrotor
Leonardo has unveiled its ATA-NXM tiltrotor that introduces a reworked layout and a provision for upscaling as a follow-up to the AW609 lightweight tiltrotor.
Navy / Maritime
Fincantieri Launches Lead Ship of the New OPV Class
Fincantieri has announced the launch of the lead ship of its new OPV class, Ugolino Vivaldi (P440), under the PPX programme, which draws from the PPA OPVs.
Navy / Maritime
Saudi Navy to receive armed C-27J maritime patrol aircraft
Saudi Arabia has ordered four armed C-27J MPA, introducing organic anti-submarine and maritime strike capabilities to its naval aviation fleet from 2029.
Land
Weapon / Missile
Leonardo Unveils Hystrix as Land-Based Sovraponte Variant
Leonardo has unveiled the Hystrix as the land-based variant of its Sovraponte 76 mm naval gun, reviving a previously abandoned idea with today’s capabilities.
