Italian defense company plans to test air defense technology in Ukraine

Friday 21 August 2026 - 20:32

By: Azzat Manal

Italian defense company plans to test air defense technology in Ukraine

Italian defense group Leonardo has reportedly established a Ukrainian subsidiary and is considering using the country as a potential testing ground for components of its next-generation air defense technology.

According to Milano Finanza, Leonardo has registered a company called Leonardo Ukraine, which is wholly owned through Leonardo International, another entity within the Italian defense group.

The move reflects the company’s growing interest in Ukraine as a potential environment for evaluating military technologies under real-world conditions. The report indicates that Leonardo is considering testing individual components of its proposed “Michelangelo Dome” air defense system in the country.

Ukraine has become a major focus for European defense companies since the beginning of the war with Russia. The extensive use of drones, missiles and other aerial threats has increased demand for advanced air defense systems and provided manufacturers with valuable operational data.

For Leonardo, a presence in Ukraine could strengthen cooperation with Ukrainian institutions and defense companies while allowing the group to assess how its technologies perform under demanding battlefield conditions.

The Italian company is among Europe’s largest defense contractors and has been benefiting from increased military spending across the continent. European governments have accelerated efforts to strengthen national and collective defense capabilities, creating new opportunities for major arms manufacturers.

According to financial information reviewed by RIA Novosti, Leonardo has set ambitious growth targets and plans to significantly increase its profits by 2030 as European defense spending continues to rise.

The reported creation of Leonardo Ukraine therefore comes at a time when European defense companies are expanding their production capacity, developing new technologies and seeking closer partnerships with countries affected by the changing security environment.