Italian company to test Michelangelo air defense dome in Ukraine
Photo: Italy to test Michelangelo air defense system in Ukraine (leonardo.com)
The Italian company Leonardo plans to test its new Michelangelo air defense dome in combat conditions on Ukrainian territory, stated Leonardo CEO Roberto Cingolani, according to Breaking Defense.
Testing in Ukraine
According to Cingolani, the first component of the Michelangelo system is already being built specifically for Ukrainian forces.
The delivery and testing of the system are expected to take place by the end of 2026, serving as a prerequisite for further NATO-standard certification.
"The first component of the Michelangelo dome….is now under construction for our friends in Ukraine. The first test will be there in a real environment," Cingolani emphasized during a presentation of the company’s industrial plan.
He added that the results of using the system on the Ukrainian front will serve as "a kind of proof that it’s a very effective approach."
Capabilities of the Michelangelo system
The new development offers clients a full spectrum of air defense capabilities, from intercepting ballistic and hypersonic missiles to neutralizing mass drone attacks.
The central element of the dome is the MC5 module, which allows different types of weaponry to be integrated into a single network.
According to Cingolani, the system can effectively protect a "dead zone" with a radius of 10–15 kilometers by integrating artillery, radars, and satellite data.
Leonardo forecasts that by 2035, this project could bring the company around 21 billion euros in new business opportunities.
Ukraine as a hub for testing advanced weaponry
Ukraine has already become a key platform for testing the world’s most advanced defense technologies. Recently, a special platform for testing Western weapons was launched in the country, allowing partners to evaluate equipment under conditions of real, intense warfare.
For example, the German company Rheinmetall presented a secret drone carrier designed to target aerial threats.
Alongside foreign developments, Ukraine is actively implementing its own initiatives to counter enemy drones.
