Record profits for Europe's defense industries due to wars
Leonardo, an Italian defense giant, secured €142 billion in weapon system orders by 2030 and aims for €126 billion in revenue, bolstered by its acquisition of British cybersecurity firm Becrypt.
The Italian defense company Leonardo has secured substantial contracts amounting to €142 billion for weapon systems through 2030, projecting cumulative revenues of €126 billion, driven by an annual growth rate of 9%. In the first two months of 2026, Leonardo's stock surged by 18%, reflecting investor confidence in the company's growth trajectory amidst rising global defense spending.
As part of its strategic expansion, Leonardo has announced the acquisition of British cybersecurity firm Becrypt, which specializes in safeguarding sensitive information. This acquisition aligns with Leonardo’s collaboration with the UK Ministry of Defence to protect data classified as Top Secret. Such strategic partnerships highlight the growing importance of cybersecurity within defense capabilities, particularly as nations seek to bolster their defenses against increasing cyber threats.
CEO Roberto Cingolani emphasized that this acquisition will strengthen Leonardo's position in Britain and enhance its capabilities in cyber defense among the 'Five Eyes' nations, which include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, and the USA. This focus on cybersecurity, along with advancements in high-performance computing, indicates a significant shift in defense strategies, prioritizing modern technologies to adapt to the evolving security landscape.