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Italy’s Leonardo Chairman Floats Possible Merger With Fincantieri

By  |  January 19, 2026

The chairman of Italy’s defense and aerospace group Leonardo on Monday raised the possibility of a future combination with state-controlled shipbuilder Fincantieri, signaling renewed discussion around closer ties between two of the country’s biggest industrial groups, according to Reuters.

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    Speaking at a conference hosted by Milan’s Bocconi University, Leonardo Chairman Stefano Pontecorvo suggested that a merger between the two companies could be considered at some point, per Reuters. He directed the remark to Claudio Cisilino, Fincantieri’s executive vice-president for operations, who was attending the event.

    “I hope that one day a merger between us might be possible,” Pontecorvo said, without providing further details or a timeframe.

    Leonardo and Fincantieri are both majority-owned by the Italian state and already collaborate on several defense and naval programs. However, earlier efforts to push for deeper industrial integration have struggled to gain traction, according to Reuters, as political sensitivities and differing strategic priorities complicated talks.

    The comments come as Fincantieri seeks to strengthen its presence in the defense sector. In its most recent five-year industrial plan, the shipbuilder identified defense as a key area for expansion, aiming to diversify its business beyond commercial shipbuilding, per Reuters.

    While no formal discussions have been announced, Pontecorvo’s remarks highlight ongoing interest within Italy’s defense industry in exploring ways to consolidate capabilities amid increasing global competition and rising defense spending across Europe.

    Source: Reuters