As part of the collaboration initiated by the Northwest Economic Committee between the Piedmont, Liguria, and Lombardy regions, a new strategic step has been taken in Turin to strengthen the national aerospace industry.
In the evocative setting of the Valentino Castle in the Hall of Honour of the Polytechnic of Turin, Piedmont Aerospace District (DAP), Lombardy Aerospace Cluster (LAC) and Ligurian SIIT District (Integrated Intelligent Systems) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at consolidating and promoting the development of the Aerospace and Defense (A&D) industrial ecosystem at the national and international level.
The agreement was signed by the Presidents Maurizio De Mitri (DAP), Paolo Cerabolini (LAC), and Remo Giuseppe Pertica (SIIT), to formalize an unprecedented collaboration between the three regions which, alone, represent the driving force of the sector in Italy.
The initiative is part of the path developed by the North-West Economic Cabin, the strategic table between Piedmont, Liguria and Lombardy which in recent years has promoted moments of discussion and shared planning on the main industrial sectors, from automotive to microelectronics, from energy to logistics, and even aerospace. The Regions of Piedmont, Liguria, and Lombardy are guiding and supporting the integration process between their respective aerospace ecosystems, enhancing the role of districts as tools for innovation, technology transfer, and business internationalization.
The signing was preceded by the speeches of Andrew Tronzano Councillor for Productive Activities and Internationalisation of the Piedmont Region, Guido Guidesi Councillor for Economic Development of the Lombardy Region, Alessio Piana Councillor for Economic Development of the Liguria Region and President of the CTNA (National Aerospace Technology Cluster) Cristina Leone.
Piedmont, Lombardy and Liguria represent an aerospace giant
The three Districts represent an economic and technological giant in the aerospace sector. The three Regions manage over 60% of the national turnover of the sectorPiedmont: €8 billion in turnover and 35.000 employees, the heart of the motor and space infrastructure production; Lombardy: €6,3 billion in turnover, almost €3 billion in exports, 22.000 employees, a world leader in fixed-wing (aircraft), rotary-wing (helicopters), and space (satellites); and Liguria: over €1 billion in turnover and 5.000 employees, a cutting edge in electronics, cybersecurity, and integrated systems.
The Protocol has the function of catalysing and strengthening the initiatives to support research and innovation in the aerospace sector implemented, in particular, within the "North West Economic Cabin", the political-strategic collaboration started in 2019 between the Piedmont Region, the Lombardy Region, and the Liguria Region and formalized in October 2025. The objective of the Protocol aimed at aerospace is to create a critical mass capable of competing on global markets, acting in synergy with the National Technology Cluster (CTNA).
The three Districts are committed to collaborating on key pillars such as:Innovation and Research: joint projects on Green Aviation, Space Economy, Artificial Intelligence and Industry 5.0. Internationalization: Joint participation in global tenders, fairs, and events to support local businesses and startups. Human Capital: coordinated actions for STEM education, raising awareness among young people about careers in high technology. Security: focus on Cybersecurity and Advanced & Urban Air Mobility to define new standards for urban flight.
