Leonardo’s next growth priorities: cybersecurity, energy and European alliances. Interview with the company Chairman Francesco Macrì – Decode39 - Decode39
Leonardo's order backlog has surpassed €60 billion for the first time, with revenues exceeding €15 billion in the first nine months of 2026, as the company Chairman Francesco Macrì outlines new strategic priorities.
Leonardo's Chairman argues that sustaining the company's growth will require more than industrial expansion; it will also depend on strengthening Italy's supply chains, protecting strategic infrastructure and building international partnerships to boost Europe's technological autonomy and competitiveness. The company's order backlog surpassing €60 billion for the first time reflects the increasing strategic importance of the defence and aerospace industries in European security and competitiveness.
The results for the first nine months of 2026, with revenues exceeding €15 billion, confirm the acceleration of the group's expansion. Looking ahead, the challenges range from energy security and cybersecurity to strengthening international alliances.
Industrial Growth and National Impact
Our growth is based on an industrial vision shared across the group, with management fully aligned on our objectives, said Macrì. For a group of strategic importance to Italy, growth also means strengthening the national industrial system and making the most of the expertise spread across the country.
In Italy, we work with approximately 4,500 suppliers, 84% of which are SMEs. This is an asset that must be supported through innovation, training and increasingly solid and resilient supply chains.
At the same time, international partnerships are essential to strengthening Italy's position in major industrial programmes and contributing to Europe's technological autonomy. The company aims to ensure that Leonardo's international expansion translates into new opportunities for the entire national production system, generating skilled employment, investment and industrial competitiveness.
Energy Security and Cyber Threats
Macrì emphasized that national security now encompasses energy, critical infrastructure and strategic technologies. My experience in the energy sector has taught me that security of supply is an essential condition for economic and industrial competitiveness, he stated.
Italy remains exposed to import dependence and risks affecting infrastructure, networks and supply chains, with vulnerabilities compounded by cyber and hybrid threats. Leonardo can make a decisive contribution through its cybersecurity capabilities, advanced sensor technologies, secure communications, satellite technologies and data analysis capabilities.
The report confirms what we have been saying for some time: cybersecurity is a matter of national security and technological sovereignty. For a group like Leonardo, protecting industrial assets means safeguarding expertise, technologies, data and operational continuity, while extending that protection across the supply chain.
According to the 2026 Clusit Report, cyber incidents targeting Italy's government, military and law enforcement sectors increased by 290% in 2025. Leonardo's Global CyberSec Center in Chieti handles approximately 184,000 security events per second and produces thousands of intelligence reports every year.
European Integration and Future Vision
Leonardo plays a strategic role in Italy's industrial and defence system. Macrì believes the relationship between major industrial groups and institutions must evolve towards structural cooperation based on shared strategic priorities, long-term planning and the development of national expertise.
In 2025, Leonardo invested approximately €3 billion in research, development and product engineering, involving 17,000 people and more than 120 partnerships with universities and research centres. The company must strengthen this integration by connecting public investment, manufacturing capabilities, research and training, turning innovation into growth and strategic autonomy.
For Europe's future, Macrì highlighted the need to overcome industrial fragmentation and technological gaps. Leonardo can play a leading role by bringing together its expertise, technologies and international partnerships, including cooperation with Rheinmetall on land defence systems, the joint venture with Baykar on remotely piloted systems, and projects with Airbus and Thales on European space activities.
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