UK and Italian defence industries deepen ties with new ADS-AIAD agreement
May 21, 2026
The UK and Italy have moved to deepen cooperation between their aerospace, defence and security industries after trade associations ADS and AIAD signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), strengthening bilateral industrial ties.
Signed in Rome, the agreement is designed to support long-term collaboration between British and Italian companies through joint initiatives, trade missions, investment support and greater industry engagement across both markets.
The MoU was signed by ADS, the trade association representing the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space industries, and AIAD, the Italian federation representing the country’s aerospace, defence and security sector.
The signing took place alongside a UK Public Security Exhibition organised by ADS and the British Embassy in Rome at Villa Wolkonsky, the official residence of the British Ambassador to Italy.
UK and Italy strengthen aerospace and defence cooperation
ADS and AIAD said the partnership would support closer collaboration between companies operating in both countries, including facilitating delegation visits, coordinating participation in trade fairs and industry forums, and helping businesses explore overseas investment and export opportunities.
The organisations also plan to establish a joint working group that will meet regularly to identify priority areas for cooperation and develop future collaborative initiatives.
“The long-standing partnership between the United Kingdom and Italy across the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors is deeply entrenched, built on years of close collaboration and shared opportunity,” says Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS. “This MoU marks another important milestone in that partnership, underlining ADS’ commitment to supporting its members in building strong export relationships and unlocking international opportunities.”
AIAD President Giuseppe Cossiga, added that the MoU is “an important step in the process of consolidating bilateral cooperation between Italy and the United Kingdom in the defence and security sectors.”
Growing UK-Italy defence industry ties
Italy remains one of the UK defence sector’s closest industrial partners in Europe, with significant collaboration already underway across combat air systems, helicopters, defence electronics and security technologies.
A prime example is the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the sixth-generation combat aircraft programme jointly developed by the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan. The programme brings together the UK’s BAE Systems, Italy’s Leonardo and Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft intended to enter service from 2035.
Leonardo also maintains a major industrial presence in the UK through its helicopter operations in Yeovil and defence electronics activities across Britain.
Earlier this year, the UK Ministry of Defence selected Leonardo’s AW149 helicopter for the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme, securing thousands of jobs at Yeovil and establishing the site as a future centre of excellence for autonomous military helicopters.
The £1 billion programme will deliver 23 helicopters and four simulators for the UK Armed Forces while also positioning the UK as a potential export hub for future AW149 production.
The agreement also reflects broader efforts across Europe to strengthen defence-industrial cooperation as NATO members increase defence spending and seek to improve supply chain resilience amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
Featured image: ADS
