Leonardo, Alkeon seek to establish Danish production of 76 mm Super Rapid naval gun

Leonardo 76 mm Super Rapid naval gun mount integrated on the bow of an unidentified warship, with spent munition shells scattered around the system. (Leonardo)

Leonardo and Danish industrial development company Alkeon signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) seeking to establish the production and assembly of the Italian defence prime's 76 mm Super Rapid naval gun in Denmark, a Leonardo spokesperson told Janes on 13 October 2026.

The initiative appears to represent early industrial positioning ahead of Denmark's future surface combatant decisions, rather than a firm commitment to establish a production line. Its scope is likely to depend on the volume and timing of any Danish or regional orders.

The partnership is intended to develop capabilities that support current and future defence programmes in Denmark and possible opportunities within neighbouring geographical areas. Leonardo has an industrial presence spanning Europe, but its naval gun activities are centred on its La Spezia site in Italy, where the company develops, produces, and integrates naval systems including medium-calibre turrets. However, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is also licensed to manufacture an upgraded variant in Haridwar, India.

Denmark is a prospective market for Leonardo's industrial expansion because Denmark already uses the system and is undertaking a major naval recapitalisation. The Royal Danish Navy (RDN) currently operates 17 Super Rapid gun mounts across 10 ships: three Iver Huitfeldt-class units (with two mounts each), four Thetis-class ships (with one mount each), three Knud Rasmussen-class vessels (with one mount each). That brings the numbers of Super Rapids to 13. The four-unit difference could represent spare mounts or ones on rotation.