The objective is the protection of critical underwater infrastructures
Fincantieri and Leonardo have signed an agreement to jointly develop a number of systems for the protection of critical underwater infrastructures on 27 October.
The deal aims to create a network of platforms and systems for surveillance, control, and protection of critical infrastructures and underwater maritime areas to meet national and European needs.
Underwater key infrastructures include strategic underwater networks, cables, communication backbones, offshore infrastructure, and underwater threat alert systems. The jointly developed systems will also be aimed at safeguarding exploration, sea mining, and extraction activities on the seabed for access to valuable mineral resources.
The initiative is also in line with the establishment of the upcoming National Underwater Hub (Polo Nazionale della Subacquea). This Italian centre will enhance research and innovation in the underwater environment to ensure its safety and promote industrial and economic opportunities.
The collaboration between the two companies is also expected to favour the strengthening of the Italian supply chain, especially by supporting SMEs and start-ups, which will be involved in developing innovative technologies for the specific environment and in a multi-domain perspective.
Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and Managing Director of Fincantieri, said: “Our collaboration with Leonardo, already consolidated through the Orizzonte Sistemi Navali joint venture, is further strengthened with this Memorandum of Understanding in the underwater sector. The latter represents a universe full of opportunities on which 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 approach can only be multidisciplinary, through the strong synergy of the national industry, which can boast unique, state-of-the-art and internationally recognized skills. The strategic objective is to guarantee control, surveillance, security and prosperity of the underwater space,” commented Roberto Cingolani, CEO and General Manager of Leonardo. “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,” he added.
Fincantieri and Leonardo have been collaborating for years in the naval field, especially in the design and construction of surface ships and underwater vessels and the naval combat system. The companies also have specific expertise in remote piloting solutions and their complete integration into naval units.
