Leonardo CEO calls for unified European defense investment

Lorenzo Mariani, CEO of Leonardo, has called for a more unified approach to European defense to address structural fragmentation. Speaking in Cernobbio, Mariani emphasized that the primary challenge for the European Union is not merely the volume of spending, but the need to move away from isolated national programs toward shared platforms, common programs, and economies of scale.

Mariani noted that while geopolitical pressures have increased defense investments across Europe, the current approach remains fragmented as countries prioritize individual industrial supply chains. He argued that the goal should be to transform national interests into a cohesive European industrial security policy.

Furthermore, Mariani defended the strategy of gradual increases in defense and security spending, aligned with NATO standards. He linked these investments directly to economic stability, stating that defense systems ensure the security of civil life, which serves as a necessary prerequisite for economic prosperity and investment.