Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defense and Security, was awarded 18 research and development projects under the European Defense Fund programme (EDF) Work Program 2022, of which 10 are capacity development projects and 8 are research projects. The EDF is a key tool of the European Commission to promote cooperation in the defense sector through competitive and collaborative projects, covering the entire research and development cycle. With the allocation of approximately 614 million euros out of a total of 832 million euros, Leonardo managed to obtain 74% of the funds allocated for WP 22.
A strategic partnership within the European Defense Fund
The funding awarded by the EU, distributed among 41 winning projects, concerns companies from 26 member countries, as well as Norway. In particular, Italy obtained funds for a total of 31 projects.
Leonardo has obtained funding for 18 research and development projects in different categories covering key sectors such as electronics, aircraft, cyber and space. The company is positioned to lead the Tiresyas (Technology Innovation for European Radar System Applications) project in the electronic field, demonstrating its multi-domain capabilities.
The active participation of Leonardo's subsidiaries and investee companies, including Telespazio, Larimart, Elettronica, Mbda Italia and Consorzio Creo, further strengthens the driving force of the company in the Country System.
Ambitious and multidisciplinary projects
The projects in which Leonardo participates include the Technology Innovation for European radar systems Application (Tiresyas), aimed at studying a new family of multi-domain sensors (air-sea-land) that will use cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence. Leonardo will coordinate a group of 29 entities at European level for a total value of around 15 million euros. In addition, the company also participates in projects such as Ec2 (European Command and Control System), Fasett (Future Air System for European Tactical Transportation) and Odin's Eye II (Multinational development initiative for a space-based missile early-warning architecture II).
These projects will make it possible to enhance thestrategic autonomy of the European Unionand to create a more competitive and integrated European defense technological and industrial base, promoting innovation and also involving SMEs in the sector.
With the award of these important projects, Leonardo demonstrates once again his role as protagonist in the field of research and development in the defense sector, significantly contributing to technological innovation and the advancement of the European defense industry.
