In a significant development for the Italian Army, Leonardo and KNDS Deutschland have announced a collaborative initiative to create a new mobile artillery system. This partnership aims to combine KNDS’s Artillery Gun Module with Leonardo’s state-of-the-art wheeled vehicle platform, marking a notable advancement in military capabilities.
The forthcoming artillery system intends to harness Leonardo’s cutting-edge electronics and technologies related to command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence (C5I). Additionally, it will incorporate unmanned aerial vehicle defense technologies, merging the artillery expertise of KNDS with the technological innovations of Leonardo. The primary goal is to elevate combat power and operational effectiveness for the Italian military.
Both companies are committed to bolstering industrial collaboration, enhancing supply chain resilience, and expediting their product’s time-to-market. Their joint effort aims to deliver a fully integrated solution that aligns with the Italian Army’s procurement objectives. “This Letter of Intent is an important step toward improving the interoperability of European land forces and the cooperation of European industry,” remarked Florian Hohenwarter, the incoming CEO of KNDS Deutschland.
Leonardo has been particularly active in forging partnerships over the past two years to advance integrated defense solutions both in Europe and globally. For instance, in 2025, the company entered into a formal joint venture with Turkey’s Baykar. This collaboration focuses on the design, development, production, and maintenance of unmanned aerial systems, melding Baykar’s drone technology with Leonardo’s expertise in mission systems, payloads, and aerospace certification.
Additionally, in 2024, Leonardo partnered with MBDA to create a laser-based counter-drone system specifically for the Italian Navy, further illustrating its commitment to technological innovation in defense. Through these initiatives, Leonardo aims to solidify its position as a key player in the European defense landscape while enhancing the capabilities of its military partners.
