This call comes in a context of crisis for major European manufacturers, such as Airbus and Thales, who are struggling to compete with players like SpaceX. Leonardo aspires to become the driving force behind ambitious industrial consolidation, capable of preserving European technological sovereignty while gaining competitiveness.
Leonardo: an Italian Defense giant
Leonardo, an Italian aerospace and defense giant, is a key player in the European industrial landscape. The company, which already collaborates with Thales within the Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio joint ventures, believes that these partnerships are no longer sufficient to respond to current challenges. In an interview published this December 2024, Lorenzo Mariani spoke of the need for a profound transformation of the sector, inspired by the MBDA model. This European consortium, bringing together Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo in the field of missiles, is presented as an example of collective efficiency, balancing national and industrial interests.
Leonardo’s appeal takes place in a tense economic context. The telecommunications satellite market is experiencing a decline in demand, leading Airbus and Thales to announce significant job cuts in their space divisions. At the same time, players like SpaceX dominate the sector with much lower costs and an unrivaled launch rate. Faced with this situation, Lorenzo Mariani insists on the urgency of European consolidation. According to him, only a unified approach will be able to offer competitive solutions, whether in telecommunications, navigation or Earth observation.
France, Italy… who would participate in the consortium?
The project envisaged by Leonardo is based on reinforced collaboration between the major European space nations: France, Germany, Italy, but also Spain and the United Kingdom. Lorenzo Mariani highlights the importance of fair sharing of responsibilities and economic benefits, while highlighting the challenges posed by European antitrust rules. The latter could slow down the creation of a unique and powerful player, capable of competing with the American or Chinese giants. He therefore calls for a review of these regulations to promote the emergence of a true European champion.
Leonardo’s initiative has even already started: exploratory discussions are already underway with Airbus and Thales, and a concrete project could see the light of day as early as 2025. However, the path remains strewn with pitfalls. In addition to regulatory obstacles, it will be necessary to overcome the differences of interests between different countries and find the necessary financing to modernize an industry facing major technological challenges.
Lorenzo Mariani sees this crisis as a unique opportunity for Europe. In his view, current difficulties, such as industrial fragmentation and budgetary restrictions, could catalyze a radical transformation, like what was achieved with MBDA. He believes that Europe must capitalize on its expertise and existing partnerships to build an integrated offer, covering the entire value chain, from satellites to associated services.
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