Roberto Cingolani at ICAS 2024, global security and multi-domain technologies new challenges for Defence

10 September 2024

During the first plenary session of the 34th ICAS Congress (International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences), which brings together aeronautical associations and experts from over 40 countries, the CEO and General Manager of Leonardo Roberto Cingolani analysed the technological scenario and the perspectives of the Defence sector, and received the Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Award.

In the last few years, the rapid evolution of technology has contributed to the rise of new tools with enormous potential, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, cybersecurity and the cloud, which from the civil market have become game-changers for Defence. At the same time, geopolitical instability linked to ongoing conflicts and new threats require a change of perspective.

According to Roberto Cingolani, it will be increasingly important for all countries to turn their attention towards a concept of security on a global scale, to address issues such as food and energy insecurity, but also a range of social problems related to health, transport, financial services, social stability, supply chains and other essential services.

In this context, two elements in particular stand out. As Cingolani explains, “the first lesson learnt is that we should start thinking in a different way, from the traditional concept of Defence to global security. The second is that our Defence must rely on an interconnected and integrated digital architecture, able to perceive, understand and act across all operational domains, at a speed of relevance.”

At the end of the session, Roberto Cingolani received the Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Award from ICAS, in recognition of the significant contribution to the progress of the Italian Aeronautical Industry and Technological Research in the field of materials science, nanotechnology, and automation.