Leonardo contracted to deliver first four Michelangelo Dome radars for long-range ballistic missile defence

Leonardo has advanced its Michelangelo Dome advanced integrated defence system programme by signing a contract with the Italian Directorate of Information Technology, Telematics and Advanced Technologies (TELEDIFE) for the development and delivery of four next-generation radars designed to counter long-range (3,000 km) ballistic threats, the company announced on 18 December 2025.

The contract signing sets a second milestone for the Michelangelo Dome programme since its official unveiling in November 2025, as it follows the successful first qualification launch in early December of the Italian SAMP/T NG surface-to-air missile system equipped with Leonardo’s latest-generation KRONOS Grand Mobile High Power radar.

Leonardo’s contract with TELEDIFE covers the supply of both Ground Based Radars (GBRs) and Mobile Long Range Radars (MLRRs). These systems will feature fully digital gallium nitride-based active electronically scanned-array (AESA) technology, allowing high efficiency and extended detection range. The radars will be able to deliver advanced surveillance and early warning, accurate identification and timely tracking, enabling real-time tactical picture updates and effectively cueing fire control radars and the relevant effectors.

“These characteristics, combined with other advanced capabilities, make the new radars one of the effective measures to meet the integrated ballistic defence requirements, positioning this technology at the top of European advanced radar sensor capabilities,” Leonardo stated. “With this programme Italy is the first European country featuring national integrated air and missile defence capabilities to counter new long-range threats.”