Ukraine is set to receive the first operational deployment of Leonardo’s artificial intelligence-powered air defense system within months, according to the company’s CEO, Roberto Cingolani. The “Michelangelo Dome” system is designed to intercept, track, and neutralize airborne threats.
The development of Michelangelo Dome is a key component of Leonardo’s updated industrial plan for 2026-2030, which forecasts at least 6 billion euros in business opportunities over the next five years related to integrated defense systems capable of “neutralizing a ballistic missile at 75 km from the target.”
The plan, presented in Rome, comes amid heightened global security concerns, including recent conflicts in Iran and a significant increase in worldwide defense spending. Global investment in security is projected to rise to $1 trillion annually by 2030, compared to approximately $0.4 trillion in 2020. “The context is dramatic,” Cingolani stated, “there are now more than 60 conflicts on the planet, and this is unfortunately plain for all to see. There is enormous demand for defense systems, with recent developments in Iran and the Gulf primarily concerning air defense – from missiles to swarms of drones – a trend that originated in Ukraine. It’s also about providing very rapid responses.”
Cingolani also confirmed a request from Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto for “urgent” support for Gulf countries, including “platforms, radar, and weapons.”
Leonardo’s updated plan addresses threats such as hypersonic missiles, ballistic vectors, drones, and cyberattacks, offering security systems for defense, transportation, infrastructure, agriculture, and financial services. The company projects order growth to 32 billion euros by 2030, a doubling of its Ebita margin (from 1.75 billion euros in 2025 to approximately 3.6 billion euros in 2030), and a 53% increase in revenue (from 19.5 billion euros last year to 30 billion euros in 2030). To meet the growing demand, the plan includes the addition of 28,000 new employees over the next five years.
Significant revenue and margin increases are anticipated from the Cyber division, the Space division (through agreements with Thales and Airbus), and the Aerostructures division, which is expected to reach break-even by 2028. The plan also relies on growth within Leonardo’s core businesses: helicopters (a 6.4% increase in Ebita), electronics for defense through Leonardo DRS and stakes in MBDA and Hensoldt (a 12.1% increase in Ebita), and aircraft (a 7.6% increase in Ebita).
Leonardo shareholders saw a 5.6% increase in the company’s stock price following the presentation. The company estimates approximately 1.3 billion euros in dividends over the 2026-2028 period. “If things go well in the future, we could have a payout of 30-40% of adjusted profit,” Cingolani confirmed. The company’s board of directors approved a dividend of 0.63 euros per share (a 21% increase compared to 2024), with the record date set for June 22nd. Leonardo reported 19.5 billion euros in revenue (+11%) and a net profit of 1.3 billion euros (+15%) for 2025. The group expects to finalize the acquisition of Iveco Defense (tanks and military vehicles) in the coming weeks.
