Leonardo has completed its 1.6-billion-euro ($1.8-billion) acquisition of Iveco Group’s defense business, deepening its push into land warfare systems.
The deal brings Iveco Defence Vehicles (IDV) and ASTRA under Leonardo’s portfolio, adding wheeled and tracked military platforms to its existing electronics and systems capabilities.
This transaction aligns with Leonardo’s strategy to grow as a fully integrated original equipment manufacturer across the land defense sector.
By combining vehicle platforms with Leonardo’s command-and-control systems, electro-optics, and turret technologies, the company aims to deliver end-to-end solutions rather than standalone components.
Operations and sales networks from both companies are expected to complement each other, particularly in export markets.
The acquisition also strengthens Leonardo’s industrial base, expanding manufacturing and logistics capabilities while opening room for joint development of next-generation land systems.
Defense Industry Acquisitions
Recent years have seen a wave of acquisitions across the defense sector as companies seek to expand capabilities and secure supply chains.
In 2025, AeroVironment acquired BlueHalo in a deal valued at about $4.1 billion, adding space, cyber, and counter-drone technologies to its portfolio and broadening its reach beyond tactical drones.
By 2026, the company also bought Empirical Systems Aerospace for about $200 million to improve its rapid prototyping and advanced propulsion expertise to its unmanned aircraft portfolio.
Meanwhile, Uvision Group in December 2025 completed its purchase of Israeli company SpearUAV. The deal aims to tap into SpearUAV’s expertise in encapsulated, AI-enabled loitering systems.
