Leonardo plans to test Michelangelo Dome in Ukraine and expects AFV contracts in 2026

The MBT mock-up shown at Eurosatory 2026 had a new turret design mounted on a Leopard 2A4 hull. (Janes/Christopher Petrov)

Leonardo plans to test the Michelangelo Dome air and missile defence system in Ukraine by the end of 2026 and for the finalisation of contracts for Italian Army armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) in the coming months, company CEO Lorenzo Mariani said during an online second quarter/first half results presentation on 31 July 2026.

He said Michelangelo would use the missile competence of MBDA, in which Leonardo has a 25% share, and Leonardo's Space Guardian earth observation constellation extended to defence.

He noted that 50:50 joint venture Leonardo Rheinmetall Military Vehicles (LRMV) was operational, with the delivery of the first Italian Army Armoured Combat System (A2CS) Lynx infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). The first four A2CS vehicles were delivered on 27 January 2026 following the initial contract for 21 of the IFVs signed at the end of 2025.

Mariani expressed confidence that contracts for the Italian Army's future main battle tank (MBT) and more A2CS IFVs would be finalised in the coming months.

Mariani spoke of the possibility of the MBT and A2CS being partially covered by EU Security Action for Europe (SAFE) funding but said the contracts were not dependent on it.

For more, please see:

Special Report: Leonardo offers air-defence systems derived from naval turrets