Leonardo CEO Lorenzo Mariani: Defense demand drives higher guidance

Leonardo CEO Lorenzo Mariani highlights strong demand from rising European defense spending, which drove a 45% surge in first-half orders and led the company to raise full-year guidance for orders, cash generation, and earnings. He discusses the need to accelerate production in both Europe and the U.S., with the U.S. subsidiary DRS making exceptional progress including recent M&A. Mariani also emphasizes space as a critical new domain and Leonardo’s role in building a European space champion through Project Bromo. - Leonardo reported strong Q2 results and raised 2024 guidance for orders, cash generation, and earnings. - CEO sees European defense spending on a clear upward path, benefiting Leonardo’s multi-domain portfolio. - The company is accelerating industrial and strategic processes to meet surging demand. - U.S. subsidiary DRS is making exceptional progress in ramping production and recently completed M&A. - Space is described as a crucial new domain; Leonardo’s Project Bromo aims to create a European space giant. - Coordinated European defense efforts are driving joint ventures across the industry. - Leonardo’s guidance raise reflects confidence in sustained order growth and execution.