Leonardo projects €30 billion in revenue by 2029
The forecast came as the Italian firm presented its new 2025–29 industrial plan to analysts, with its future figures bolstered by the European increase in defence spending.
The Andalusian Foundation for Aerospace Development (FADA) has kicked off a new project to apply UAS technologies to agricultural and farm monitoring applications.
The MOCHUELO project, which will be run from the ATLAS Flight Test Center in Andalusia, Spain, will aim to develop a system that can detect intrusions on agricultural farms at night using remotely controlled UAS and infrared payloads applying thermograpy technology.
The initiative began at the beginning of 2016 and will run through to mid-year.
The first application will be the olive farm industry in Andalusia – where theft is a significant issue - with a view to rolling out the solution across wider agricultural industry.
Joaquín Rodríguez Grau, general director of FADA, said that the objective is to ‘demonstrate that it is possible for an aerial fixed-wing platform to patrol agroforest terrain at night and that it can detect human presence when they should be none’.
The ATLAS Center runway will be extended for the project. The centre has segregated airspace certified for civil use by the Spanish Aviation Security Agency (AESA).
The forecast came as the Italian firm presented its new 2025–29 industrial plan to analysts, with its future figures bolstered by the European increase in defence spending.
Speaking before a committee on European affairs, the speakers addressed recent developments following an eventful few days. During this period, the UK pushed for increased support for Ukraine, while the EU eased budget constraints to allow for greater defence spending. Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, US President Donald Trump introduced tariffs that could impact the defence industry.
NATO and other Western countries had been singing from the same song sheet since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia three years ago but the alliance has been weakened as the new US administration under President Donald Trump pauses military aid to Ukraine.
Since the release of Ireland’s Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) report two years ago there have been whisperings about the potential of Ireland buying fighter jets, one of the most ambitious recommendations. The prospect has now inched closer.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer raises defence spending, while both NATO and President Trump demand significant further increases.
Increased drone use in Ukraine and in Middle Eastern conflicts has created a strong impetus to develop laser and radio-frequency firepower as exploration of direct-energy technology intensifies.