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Leonardo S.p.A

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www.leonardo.com

A global industrial group that builds technological capabilities in Aerospace, Defense & Security. The company is partially owned by the Italian government.

The company provides weapons and planes to the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD), the Israeli Air Force and the Navy.  

Gaza 2023

The company provided the Israeli Navy with four Super Rapido Multi-Feeding naval guns that were installed on board of the Sa’ar 6 corvettes, which took part in the Israeli attack on Gaza in October 2023, in their first operational use.

On September 13, 2022, the Israeli Navy took delivery of Leonardo’s 76/62 Super Rapido Multi-Feeding naval gun to be installed on board Sa’ar 6-class corvettes. The Israeli Navy is one of the first worldwide users of the 76/62 Compact gun and six guns have been in use since 1973 on board the Navy’s Sa'ar 4.5 class missile boats. The 76/62 SR MF naval gun has a fire rate of 120 rounds per minute and a multi–feeding loading system. It can be integrated with Leonardo’s multifunctional ammunition and Vulcano-guided ammunition.   

In June 2023, Leonardo signed a contract with the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) for the supply of tactical radar systems for vehicles in the amount of approximately NIS 8 million.

Leonardo manufactures the Israeli Air Force's "Lavi" and AW119Kx aircraft training planes.

In April 2022, Leonardo was awarded a contract by the US Department of Defense to provide Israel with AW119Kx aircraft for USD 29 million as part of foreign military sales. 

In June 2023, Leonardo announced that it would upgrade the 'Lavi' M-346 training aircraft in the Israeli Air Force to an attack aircraft. The company will install a NEXTER 20 mm cannon on the plane to provide improved air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities, thus turning it into a light combat aircraft.

In September 2020, the IMOD signed a supplementary agreement for the purchase of an advanced training package from Leonardo that will include five additional AW119KX training helicopters and two trainers for the Air Force's flight school. In return, the Italian Ministry of Defense will purchase launchers and 'Spike' missiles from Israel and advanced trainers and simulators from a company established in partnership between Elbit Systems and the Leonardo. This was a follow-up deal to the exchange deal between the governments of Israel and Italy, which was signed in 2011.

In February 2019, the IMOD purchased seven Leonardo AW119KX training helicopters for the Air Force's flight school. The scope of the transaction is estimated at USD 157 million and includes support and maintenance for 20 years.

Elbit Systems, which has multiple partnerships with Leonardo, provides the Israeli Air Force with maintenance services for the Leonardo training aircraft and helicopters.