Aircraft
Leonardo Gains Italian Orders To Boost Balance Sheet
The M-345 jet trainer and a new helicopter will be acquired. Meanwhile, the company has consolidated in the UK.
The Italian Air Force has ordered the newly-flown M-345 basic jet trainer. (Leonardo)
The Italian Air Force has ordered the newly-flown M-345 basic jet trainer. (Leonardo)

Boosted by new practical support from the Italian government worth more than €500 million ($532 million), Leonardo reports “all conditions are in place for our next stage—growth,” according to CEO Mauro Moretti. The Italian Ministry of Defence has contracted for the company’s M-345 basic jet trainer, and for development of a new exploration and escort helicopter to replace the AW129 Mangusta. The revamped company also announced the reorganization of its substantial UK activities into a single entity named Leonardo MW Ltd.