Page 17 - ADT NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2021 Online Magazine

Gunning

for Growth [ INTERVIEW LEONARDO ]

Interview: Pasquale Di Bartolomeo – Leonardo Chief
Commercial Officer

Industrial collaboration with Transfer of Technology (ToT) remains
a key requirement for current and upcoming requirements and
Leonardo is looking to act as a partner with the aim of establishing
a long-term partnership both in the execution phase of the con-
tract and in the sustainment one, says Pasquale Di Bartolomeo
– Leonardo Chief Commercial Officer in an interview with Asian
Defence Technology (ADT). Excerpts from the interview:
What are the defence procurement trends
observed by Leonardo?
The Asia Pacific region is a strategic market for Leonardo. The eco- terms of assets and operational approaches,
with more frequent joint exercises. Key require-
nomic strength in the region, as well as security concerns, disputes ment is industrial collaboration with Transfer of
over territory and requirements to modernize military equipment are Technology (ToT), and Leonardo's attitude is
all combining to create a clear trend of upwards defence spending to act as a partner with the aim of establishing
which is likely to continue for some time. Despite the economic a long-term partnership both in the execution
effect of the Covid-19 pandemic, military spending has been largely phase of the contract and in the sustainment
maintained due to the security competition in the region.
one.
The trends we are observing are characterized by a more increased Clearly, the regional Military Procurement
attention to the progressive strengthening of national military capa- Agencies are adapting this kind of procurement
bilities, in particular in sectors with high technological innovation, strategy for this evolutionary scenario.
such as e.g. hypersonic armament and submarines, as well as
in general for remotely piloted systems (not only UAS, but also While in the past some countries in the region
USV-Unmanned Surface Vehicle and UUV-Unmanned Underwater have bought a substantial proportion of
Vehicle). capabilities from the U.S., we are seeing a tilt
Airborne capabilities continue to play a major role, with countries towards procurement from other regions such
in the region heavily investing in new aircraft, including uncrewed as Europe, which will allow APAC nations to
platforms, and the associated sensors, training and weapon sys- have full sovereign control over the increasingly
tems. This includes a substantial demand for C4ISR platforms and digital technologies they are looking to procure.
capabilities, which Leonardo is ideally placed to support.
This is happening at the same time as gov-
ernments making big investments in onshore
Regional countries are planning to increase the air surveillance and design, development and manufacturing, with
defense capacity, and also maritime surveillance, by integrating national champions supported by governments
coastal stations, sensors and systems on board ships, helicopters, which are looking to boost their own national
Maritime Patrolling Aircraft, RPAS and satellite systems, aiming to defence industries. This is driving an increase
allow more effective Maritime Domain Awareness. They are also in requirement for in-country sourcing.
investing for creating Netcentric Warfare systems that integrate
existing and future capabilities, giving adequate awareness to pro- Specifically in the maritime domain,
tect countries and people.
how is Leonardo supporting its
Greater integration is emerging between the ASEAN countries existing products that are in
and others which are not included in this organization (Japan, service?
Australia), whit the object to identify common defense both in A leader in the design and supply of systems

ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY November / December 2021 | 17