FEINDEF 2025: a new phase of strategic cooperation in the naval sector between Navantia and Leonardo announced

A Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen industrial cooperation

During the International Defense Fair FEINDEF 2025, held in Madrid from May 12 to 14, Navantia and Leonardo formalized a new collaboration agreement aimed at promoting and marketing integrated naval solutions in the Defense sector. The news, made public through a joint statement during the event, marks a decisive step towards expanding a long-term industrial partnership.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed the week before the event by Navantia's Chief Operating Officer, Gonzalo Mateo, and Leonardo Electronics' Marketing and Sales Director, Davide Fazio. The agreement aims to explore new market opportunities, with particular focus on modular and interoperable solutions that integrate the technological strengths of both companies.

As indicated in the official statements, the MoU aims to complement the respective portfolios: Navantia with its wide range of naval units — from patrol boats to frigates, including corvettes and aircraft carriers — and Leonardo with a consolidated offer of sensors, radars, fire control systems, and naval armaments, flexible and adaptable to different platforms and operational scenarios.

A solid industrial legacy at the service of innovation

The collaboration between Navantia and Leonardo is not new: it is an industrial relationship that originated several decades ago and has led to benchmark projects in the European naval landscape. Among these stands out the F110 frigate program of the Spanish Navy, on which Leonardo provided the OTO 127/64 LW gun, the fire control radar integrated into Navantia systems, and the automatic ammunition handling system (AAHS).

These systems, widely tested and already operational on numerous platforms, are also mounted on units of the BAM (Buques de Acción Marítima) class. Navantia ships are also equipped with OTO 76/62 mm guns and Leonardo radars, demonstrating the reliability and integration of the two technologies. In addition to the Spanish Navy, many foreign navies have chosen the Navantia-Leonardo combination for their operational needs, recognizing the value of an integrated and high-performance system.

To testify to the solidity and depth of this alliance, key figures from both companies were present during the official announcement: José Manuel Mondéjar, Commercial Director of Navantia; Cristina Abad, Director of Navantia Sistemas; Ludovica Rendine, Head of International Business Development for Leonardo in Spain; and Alverto Bava, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Leonardo's Electronics Division for Europe and Africa.

This presence confirms the mutual interest in enhancing not only technical but also commercial and strategic synergies, with the aim of jointly addressing future developments in the global military naval market.

Towards a faster, more flexible, and technologically autonomous response

The most innovative aspect of the new agreement concerns the flexibility and commercial agility that Navantia and Leonardo intend to generate as a competitive advantage. In a sector where the speed of response to customer needs is a decisive factor, the ability to decide, adapt, and act quickly is a fundamental strategic element.

According to the official statements, the agreement aims to optimize decision-making times, streamline processes, and increase the ability to respond to tenders, offering integrated and scalable packages to navies around the world. The two companies will thus be able to jointly participate in international programs, develop new technologies in a coordinated manner, and strengthen their presence in emerging markets.

Finally, the agreement also has a strategic value for the European Defense industry, promoting the development of sovereign technological capabilities. In an international context where industrial autonomy and maritime security are becoming increasingly urgent priorities, Navantia and Leonardo represent two key players in the construction of a stronger and more independent European Defense ecosystem.

The joint announcement of Navantia and Leonardo at FEINDEF 2025 is not only a confirmation of an already well-established collaboration but the beginning of a new phase oriented towards flexibility, technological integration, and international expansion. In a world where naval security challenges are constantly evolving, the alliance between these two industrial leaders is destined to play a central role in the development of competitive, innovative, and sustainable naval solutions for the navies of the future.