Leonardo has strengthened its partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the field of cyber security by signing a contract to deliver a comprehensive technological upgrade of the UAE Defence’s secure communications network.
The programme aim is to enhance secure communications and information systems for the UAE’s national security, providing cutting-edge protections for strategic applications. The upgrades will significantly bolster network and IT infrastructure security, improving resilience against cyber and physical threats while safeguarding data and services' availability, authenticity, integrity, and confidentiality.
Leonardo will lead the design and modernization of the secure communications network using state-of-the-art technologies, resulting in an integrated, interoperable system capable of seamless operations and continuous upgrades. A key focus of the project will be the development of advanced encryption techniques to ensure the highest security standards for communications and information handling.
Initially launched in 2017, the UAE’s initiative to establish national secure communication capabilities has underscored the long-standing relationship between Leonardo and the UAE Armed Forces, further strengthening Leonardo’s role as a trusted partner.
With a robust presence in the UAE for over 50 years, Leonardo has built one of its largest export markets in the region, providing a wide range of products, services, and collaborations across both civil and defense sectors.
Leonardo’s mission-critical solutions are currently deployed in over 50 countries worldwide, supporting critical infrastructures, homeland security, law enforcement, and emergency response. As cyber security becomes increasingly vital across all sectors, the need for robust protections will extend beyond digital and physical infrastructure to encompass systems, platforms, communications, and mobility from their earliest design phases. Data gathering, analysis, utilization, and protection are key elements in these emerging technologies. With advanced capabilities in high-performance computing and trustworthy artificial intelligence, Leonardo is uniquely positioned to support governments and institutional agencies in their digital transformation efforts, ensuring enhanced security and improved service quality for communities.
Leonardo is an international industrial group, among the main global companies in Aerospace, Defence, and Security (AD&S). With 53,000 employees worldwide, the company approaches global security through the Helicopters, Electronics, Aircraft, Cyber & Security and Space sectors, and is a partner on the most important international programmes, within these sectors, such as Eurofighter, NH-90, FREMM, GCAP, and Eurodrone. Leonardo has significant production capabilities in Italy, the UK, Poland, and the USA.
Leonardo utilises its subsidiaries, joint ventures, and shareholdings, which include Leonardo DRS (72.3%), MBDA (25%), ATR (50%), Hensoldt (22.8%), Telespazio (67%), Thales Alenia Space (33%), and Avio (29.6%).
Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), in 2023 Leonardo recorded new orders for €17.9 billion, with an order book of €39.5 billion and consolidated revenues of €15.3 billion. Included in the MIB ESG index, the company has also been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) since 2010.