La Spezia, a central site
for European Defence

In the current context of geopolitical instability and constant technological evolution, Leonardo's La Spezia site plays a leading role in the development, production and integration of naval and land systems, as well as guided munitions electronics, for which the Group is the only manufacturer in Europe. The facility also houses a training centre based on immersive virtual reality, where customers and users can carry out maintenance training activities, optimising costs and performance.

Some of the technologies with which Leonardo meets current and future operational requirements are developed in the Ligurian site. These include small, medium and large calibre turrets, designed to be installed on a vast number of different platforms. From the HITROLE family of turrets, lightweight remote-controlled, to the HITFIST, available in crewed and remote-controlled ultralight versions, up to the HITFACT designed for heavy vehicles, made right in La Spezia.

The HITROLE Light Remote Weapon Station (RWS) turrets are developed to be adopted on any type of platform, thanks to a non-intrusive installation that does not require modifications to the vehicle. They are characterised by their modularity, with the possibility of defining different configurations based on specific needs, depending on whether they are installed on light tactical vehicles – such as the Light Tactical Multirole Vehicle (VTLM) “Lince” or the Medium Tactical Multirole Vehicle (VTMM) “Orso” –, off-road vehicles, tanks or heavy armoured vehicles such as the Centauro II armoured vehicle. The HITROLE Light is an RWS, i.e. it is controlled by the crew directly from inside the vehicle, via a cloche and a monitor, and equipped with an automatic threat tracking system. This increases the safety of the crew on board, making manual operation by an operator unnecessary, which is still possible in the event of system malfunctions. For observation and target detection, tracking and acquisition, the HITROLE Light uses the Mini Colibrì-D optics.

The HITFIST is a crewed tower, i.e., requiring a crew of two operators, a commander and a pointer. Conceived in the early 2000s to equip the Italian Army's (Esercito Italiano - EI) ‘Dardo’ VCC (Armoured Fighting Vehicle), it is characterised by its modularity and ease of integration on different hulls. Its latest evolution equips the 8x8 VBM (Medium Armoured Vehicle) of the EI. It features the new 30mm weapon system developed in-house, the new LOTHAR SD and JANUS D-L digital optical sensors, also developed in Campi Bisenzio, and the NGVA architecture, which enables the exchange of information between towers and platforms, as well as constant dialogue with the tactical command and control systems involved.

There is also a remotely controlled version of the HITFIST, the HITFIST UL (Uncrewed Light) 30 mm, which was developed in self-financing for the Amphibious Armoured Vehicle programme. This is a lighter configuration, suitable for amphibious vehicles, i.e. capable of travelling on land and water, where low weight is a fundamental requirement, but can also be used on other types of light and medium armoured vehicles. Compared to the classic version, it is characterised by a higher lift (85° instead of 60°), making it also suitable for Counter-UAV (Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle) operations, aimed at countering unmanned aerial systems.

The HITFACT, designed and developed at the La Spezia site, was born out of the need to support large-calibre, yet lightweight instruments. Its objective is to enhance the effectiveness of highly mobile vehicle operations. It is a crewed tower, with a crew of three operators: commander, pointer and loader. The latter is present, despite the fully automatic loading system, as a possible back-up solution in case of malfunctions. To ensure maximum crew safety, the HITFACT is divided into two parts, one housing the crew and electronic systems, the other intended for the instruments and loading system. In addition, to maintain the highest STANAG (Standardization Agreement) safety standards, the tower is equipped with a state-of-the-art fire-fighting system.

La Spezia, future prospects

With over 2,500 defence systems delivered to more than 70 countries, Leonardo's La Spezia site has been characterised in the last three years by a significant growth in production volumes in the naval and land domains, with a consequent increase in employment and infrastructural development. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years, also in light of the development drivers indicated in the new 2024-2028 Industrial Plan: innovation, through digitalisation and R&D, optimisation and rationalisation of products and production processes and, last but not least, international alliances, starting with the joint venture (JV) with Rheinmetall.

The agreement, aimed at creating a new European core for the development and production of military combat vehicles in Europe, will see Liguria play a leading role. The JV, which intends to strengthen cooperation with international players, will allow Leonardo to position itself at the centre of the consolidation process of the European Defence industry.

The main objective is the development and commercialisation of the new Main Battle Tank (MBT) and the new combat vehicle platform for the Armoured Infantry Combat System (AICS) programme, both intended for the Italian Army. In the two programmes, mission systems, electronic suites and weapon systems integration will be developed and produced by Leonardo according to the requirements of the Italian customer. The technologies developed will form the basis for the development of the future European Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) and new versions aimed at international export. Final assembly lines, vehicle homologation tests, delivery activities and logistic support will be carried out in Italy, for a national contribution of 60%.

The MBT and AICS programmes will see Leonardo engaged in the development of new products in different areas, such as optronics, armaments, communications and C4I (Command, Control, Communication, Computers and Intelligence). These new competencies in the land domain will have direct recourse to the La Spezia site, where new medium-calibre technologies will be developed and substantial workshare will be provided in the construction of the new MBT tower. Innovation will be the central element at 360 degrees, with the use of technologies related to mechanical engineering, electronics and software. In addition to continuing with the production of large-calibre defence systems, a core activity for the site, the management of assembly and machining of the hulls and the logistics aspect will continue. La Spezia will also be responsible for field support for all systems, including the most innovative ones such as the simulators to be used for training phases. Elements that, in an overall view, contribute to the development of the C4I concept within the so-called ‘tactical multi-domain bubble’, capable of making different systems cooperate with each other.