Fincantieri, Leonardo Join Hands to Develop Protection Systems for Underwater Infrastructure

Fincantieri and Leonardo have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop a network of platforms and systems for surveillance, control, and protection of critical underwater infrastructures and maritime areas.

The scope of cooperation includes the protection of strategic underwater networks, cables, communication backbones, offshore infrastructure, underwater threat alert systems, as well as the safeguarding of exploration, sea mining, and extraction activities on the seabed for access to valuable mineral resources.

The aim is to respond to the needs indicated at the national level (Italian) and within the scope of European initiatives.

The MoU aims at pooling the two companies’ respective expertise and capabilities in the sector. The initiative also stems from the imminent establishment of the National Underwater Hub (Polo nazionale della Subacquea), the Italian center which will enhance research and innovation in the underwater environment, to ensure its safety and promote industrial and economic opportunities.

The signing took place between the CEOs of the two companies, Pierroberto Folgiero and Roberto Cingolani, at the presence of Admiral Enrico Credendino, Chief of the Italian Navy.

The companies aim to provide potential customers with state-of-the-art systems, high and competitive performance in the underwater domain.

Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, said: “Fincantieri intends to focus with determination: from the defense of critical submarine infrastructures to the use of drones. Our goal is to continue to innovate the sector with cutting-edge solutions”.

“The great depths of the underwater world represent a new frontier of security, to be faced with the development of a new generation of technologies. The strategic objective is to guarantee control, surveillance, security and prosperity of the underwater space,” commented Roberto Cingolani, CEO and General Manager of Leonardo, adding: “With Fincantieri we are working to build an offer dedicated to this domain, starting from our most consolidated knowledge and skills, such as sensors, manned and unmanned systems.”