Nations in Focus MT 5/2022 · 45 In the naval sector, Calzoni, Intermarine, Cantiere Navale Vittoria, Baglietto, FB Design, and DRASS-Galeazzi have been specializing in niche products such as OPVs, fast patrol boats, minehunters, or midget submarines. Often, these companies are successful in foreign markets thanks to their high competitiveness and in-house, out-of-the-box solutions. In the aerospace sector, Italy is the breeding ground for numerous highly competitive companies. For instance, OHB Italia is leader for design, production, and integration of complex space systems while ALTEC specialises in space engineering and logistic services. Some companies still possess the necessary know-how to entirely produce their own aircraft, such as Tecnam, which successfully manufacture and sells light aircraft such as the P-MENTOR trainer and the P-2010 and P-2012 general aviation aircraft. P-2012 is also proposed in a Special Mission Payload (SMP) version for military and law enforcement applications. Others focus on maintenance services, spare parts and/or engineering, such as Ala, Mecaer, Secondo Mona, Pietro Rosa, L.M.A., Fucine Umbre, Merletti, and Kaiser. Concluding Remarks Like in many European countries, Italy has rediscovered the existence and the relevance of its defence industry thanks to the war in Ukraine. But very few realised to what extent the defence industry is a key national asset in peacetime. As Italy does not sell to countries at war, peacetime is the best period for selling and war risks creating serious troubles vis-àvis export licenses. Nonetheless, the war in Ukraine had the positive effect of unblocking numerous national procurement programmes that had been postponed for years or that had got stuck into a never-ending parliamentary approval process. This should relaunch the domestic demand for major armaments, but also provides Italian companies with funds for preparing their future, especially considering that the demand for ITARfree, no-strings-attached, and non-aligned (to the US, Russia, or China) products is skyrocketing in the Middle East and in Asia. Leonardo and Fincantieri are already well positioned to maintain their status and eventually improve their international track records. However, the real challenge for the whole sector is to avoid that highly skilled SMEs end up crushed by international competition between giants in the name of consolidation and economies of scale. Ideally, a consistent nation-wide approach to industrial policies (today inexistent in Italy) would greatly help in promoting leading companies while protecting the best performing – albeit smaller – niche excellences. the Italian Navy is strong and continued. The Group has recently been awarded a contract for the construction of a second Logistic Support Ship (LSS) by OCCAR, the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation, for the Italian Navy fleet. The order also includes the provision of lifecycle support for the unit over the first ten years, including logistics and service support. This follows FREMMs, PPAs, and LSS VULCANO. In the submarine sector, Fincantieri is the protagonist of the reconstruction of an Italian national cluster in submarine technologies, acting as the centre of gravity for dozens of SMEs involved in the U-212NFS programme for a revisited, country-tailored version of the successful German design. Abroad, Fincantieri Marine Group and the Marinette shipyard have given access to the US market, while the Etihad Ship Building joint venture in Abu Dhabi aims at seizing the largest possible share of the Middle Eastern market. Naturally, the role of Fincantieri Marinette Marine as prime contractor for the US Navy‘s FFG-62 CONSTELLATION programme contributed considerably to the consolidation of Fincantieri leadership in the naval surface vessels segment, along with successes of the FREMM design in Egypt and Indonesia. The role of Fincantieri in the naval build-up of the Qatari Navy also highlighted the company’s portfolio of LPDs/LHDs, light frigates/corvettes, and fast-attack crafts. The Role of SMEs Leonardo and Fincantieri act as the backbone of a constellation of SMEs that shape up the Italian defence industry sector. In effect, plenty of them work mainly as suppliers and/or subcontractors for big companies. However, there are also examples of medium sized companies – in terms of turnover and number of employees – that find their own, autonomous niche in international markets. For instance, Italy has a rich tradition in firearms. Founded in the 16th century, Beretta is the oldest active manufacturer of firearms in the world, while Fiocchi Munizioni has a 140-year-long history in ammunition. In addition, manufacturers such as Cheddite, Chiappa Firearms, Armi Perazzi, Caesar Guerini, FabarmFabbrica Bresciana Armi, Sabatti, and Rizzini contribute to keep up the Italian tradition (and production) in the field. In the land sector, Leonardo and Iveco have founded the Consorzio Iveco Oto-Melara (CIO), which is the main manufacturer of military vehicles in Italy, including excellence products such as CENTAURO-2 MGS, SUPERAV (known also as ACV or VBA) amphibious vehicle, and LINCE multirole vehicle. Specialized companies such as ARIS and Goriziane complement the Italian offer with vehicles for special applications and maintenance services, respectively. A PPA frigate ready to be launched at Fincantieri’s Muggiano shipyard. (Photo: Fincantieri)
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