Tom Kington

Tom Kington is the Italy correspondent for Defense News.

All Stories By Tom

Boeing’s aircraft woes drive drone focus at Leonardo facility

Leonardo had told unions in Rome that the plant at Grottaglie would need to shut down for four months.

4 weeks ago

Leonardo seeks global firms to build, tweak its new attack helicopter

The company's AW249 will be able to control unmanned aerial vehicles using large screens and helmet displays inspired by the U.S. F-35 combat jet.

5 weeks ago

French vision for an autonomous Europe proves elusive

Russia's war against Ukraine has led to some fresh soul-searching in Europe about the continent's reliance on the United States for security.

Leonardo CEO pick Cingolani may signal cybersecurity, AI focus

A trained physicist, Roberto Cingolani will follow outgoing CEO Alessandro Profumo, if shareholders approve.

Italy reveals plans for converting Gulfstream jets

The aircraft have spent the last year flying missions close to Ukraine to monitor the airspace.

Leonardo is said to be looking in-house in search for new leader

“There is an Italian saying: Whoever enters a papal conclave expected to become pope will exit as a cardinal,” one political insider said of the search.

When will the war in Ukraine end? Experts offer their predictions.

First were the helmets, then the Leopard tanks. The evolving approach of sending aid to Ukraine fits a conflict as fluid as it is unpredictable.

Fincantieri CEO talks US frigates, vision for Europe’s naval sector

The building of new U.S. Navy frigates in Wisconsin is about to get more efficient thanks to the introduction of techniques used to make cruise ships.

Will SAMP/T air defense be included in Italy arms package for Ukraine?

With Russia using Iranian-made drones to knock out vital infrastructure in Ukrainian cities, Kyiv has appealed for more air defense systems.

Italy eyes US-style Compass Call electronic-attack jets

Test flights are now being undertaken in the United States of a G550 converted into an EC-37B Compass Call electronic-attack jet.

Italy Air Force chief wants in on US next-gen helicopter tech — pronto

Gen. Luca Goretti said Italy urgently needs to get in on the ground floor of development of the technology to avoid playing catch-up later.

Italy drops drone program, instead buying Piaggio aircraft

However, a contract is missing — one the government said in 2019 it would award to Piaggio Aerospace.

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