The names change, but there is a risk that everything will remain the same. The assignment of the new Italian government starts the match on the appointments of the highest offices of publicly-owned companies. Among these is the Leonardo Group, an important international company operating in the defense and aerospace sectors. Today we begin a series of insights with hypotheses on figures who could hold these top positions.

The replacements of the current CEO, Alessandro Profumo, who has been at the head of the Group for six years, and of the president Luciano Carta, Army corps general of the Guardia di Finanza since 2014, are assumed to be certain. Justifying their exit would be a genuine desire for renewal after years of crystallization. The latter due to various governments that have shown little interest in the Italian defense industry.

The new executive should therefore focus on managers with real experience in the sector to access international contracts, not on client appointments. According to rumors Profumo would like to hire the presidency of the Group; while the position of managing director is disputed between Gian Piero Cutillo (current CEO of Leonardo's helicopter division and close to minister Giorgetti) and Lorenzo Mariani (now CEO of Mbda Italia who would not have the support of the Lega party). With these appointments, it is difficult to imagine future successes in the Italian defense industry. We therefore need solid support from the government for real skills and real skills.

The Leonardo Group should also study new synergies with international markets. A consideration corroborated by the position taken by the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, with her recent visits to Europe and the United Arab Emirates with the need to promote the defense industrial sector.

We hope that Italy will return to being a protagonist in the global defense industry sector.