Leonardo made a strong impact at DSEI 2025, showcasing a range of advanced capabilities including Proteus, DragonFire, ECRS Mk2 and StormShroud alongside our armed forces and industrial partners. The event coincided with the release of the UK Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), which aims to redefines the relationship with industry by shifting towards a partnership focused on national security, economic growth, and innovation. Leonardo reaffirmed its readiness to deliver transformational change through sovereign capability, strategic partnerships and cutting-edge innovation.
In line with the ambitions of the DIS, Leonardo outlined its vision for delivering next-generation military capability through autonomy, AI and SME collaboration. Professor Simon Harwood, UK Director of Capability, highlighted our work with agentic autonomy and distributed sensing, supported by a sovereign ecosystem of UK SMEs. Through our partnering programme and academic collaborations, we’re strengthening the UK’s industrial base and accelerating innovation across both defence and civil markets.
During DSEI, the formation of the GCAP Electronics Evolution consortium was announced, bringing together the expertise of Leonardo UK, Leonardo Italy, ELT Group and Mitsubishi Electric to develop the Integrated Sensing and Non-Kinetic Effects (ISANKE) and Integrated Communications System (ICS) for the Global Combat Air Programme. The consortium will deliver the integrated sensing and communications capabilities and provide long-term support, ensuring freedom of action and modification for all partner nations.
Inclusion took centre stage as we marked National Inclusion Week 2025 with a powerful call to action under the theme ‘Now is the Time’. From inspirational sessions with all female British Army, cross-Atlantic rowing team, Force Atlantic and Carers UK to a thought-provoking conversation with AFBE-UK Co-Founder Dr Ollie Folayan MBE, the week highlighted how data, allyship and authentic action can drive meaningful change.
Celebrating the achievements of our ermerging talent, Leonardo’s Yeovil trainees were recognised at a special awards ceremony in September for their outstanding contributions. Amber Hart received the prestigious Managing Director’s Cup, while the Charity and Social Committee was honoured with the Team Sword Award for reaching new heights by raising over £42,000 for two charities – Andy’s Man Club and Yeovil Freewheelers Blood Bikes. The highlights of the year saw colleagues completing the Three Peaks Challenge, scaling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in under 24 hours as well as volunteers support 12 local charities in the Yeovil area by donating thousands of hours and materials as part of Be A Saint Day.
To cap off the month, Leonardo participated in Air Ambulance Week 2025 to celebrate the life-saving work of air ambulance charities across the UK. With over 134 missions dispatched daily, our AW169 and AW109 helicopters serve as vital platforms for critical care teams across the UK.