Ukraine to Test Italian "Michelangelo" Air Defense Dome – Bloomberg
The Italian defense company Leonardo plans to test the Michelangelo air defense system in Ukraine by the end of 2026. This was announced by the company’s CEO, Lorenzo Mariani.
The manufacturer is already testing a component of the anti-drone system in Italy and will initially deploy an artillery unit in Ukraine. Leonardo’s Kyiv-based subsidiary, whose operations were announced last month, is working on the system’s development.
According to Mariani, the Italian manufacturer aims to strengthen cooperation with the Ukrainian defense sector to foster partnerships, attract investments, or acquire companies. “The Ukrainian ecosystem of small and medium-sized companies and startups has had the opportunity—as well as the ingenuity—to create particularly innovative and proven solutions. Learning from experience directly on the ground is the right way to move forward,” emphasized the head of Leonardo.
Source: Bloomberg.
The Michelangelo Dome is the latest multi-domain air and missile defense system developed by the Italian defense conglomerate Leonardo.
The system’s core concept is to create a multi-layered protective dome over specific facilities or territories. The system operates as a unified network that integrates various radars, optoelectronic threat detection systems, and weapon systems—ranging from anti-aircraft missile systems to specialized artillery units and electronic warfare systems.
It is designed to counter a wide range of air threats, including cruise and ballistic missiles, aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles of various classes. Thanks to its automated control, the system analyzes the air situation and selects the most effective means of neutralizing a target based on the distance and type of threat.
The company’s CEO, Roberto Cingolani, previously discussed the testing plans during a presentation of Leonardo’s new industrial strategy. According to him, one of the system’s first components is already being developed specifically for Ukraine. “The first component of the Michelangelo dome is currently being built for our friends in Ukraine. The first tests will take place there in a real-world environment,” Cingolani stated.
