Leonardo acquires stake in GEM
GEM elettronica products include the X-band 3D surface and air surveillance radar. (Photo: GEM Elettronica)
The partial acquisition of GEM elettronica — with the option to take full control — should see Leonardo expand its position in the naval sensor market.
Leonardo announced on 21 April that it is expanding its sensor portfolio after taking a 30% stake in fellow Italian company GEM elettronica for an undisclosed price.
Under the agreement, Leonardo can acquire control of GEM via a purchase option that can be exercised in 2024.
Leonardo also signed a commercial and industrial agreement with GEM, under which the two companies will conduct joint R&D into naval technology and ‘applications for land platforms’.
GEM specialises in the production of compact and medium-sized 3D radars, EO sensors and inertial systems for the air, land and maritime sectors. As such, it ‘has the capacity to produce critical components for Leonardo products as well as specialised radar and electronics capabilities’, Leonardo noted.
It claimed that the deal would particularly strengthen its position in the market for short- and medium-range navigation and coastal surveillance radars, adding: ‘Leonardo will be able to expand and diversify its offer and improve the engineering, production and marketing of products in different bands to those in Leonardo’s existing portfolio.’
GEM products include the MM/SPN-749. This I-band surface search and navigation radar is installed on the Italian Navy’s STOVL aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi, Shephard Defence Insight notes.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system]()
DSEI 2025: MARSS unveils new agnostic multidomain C4 system
MARSS’ NiDAR system has been deployed using sensors from static platforms to provide detection and protection for static sights, such as critical infrastructure, ports and military bases.
-
![Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training]()
Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training
Australia is looking to improve its presence in space with a focus on communications and creating a dedicated segment of its defence forces committed to the domain.
-
![EID to unveil new vehicle communication system at DSEI]()
EID to unveil new vehicle communication system at DSEI
The Portuguese company’s naval communications system is in service across more than a dozen countries. It has turned to its home nation for support in developing a new vehicle based C2 system.
-
![Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker]()
Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker
The Vision4ce Deep Embedded Feature Tracking (DEFT) technology software is designed to process video and images by blending traditional computer vision with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to present actionable information from complex environments.
-
![Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend]()
Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend
Persistent Systems has been cleared by National Security Agency (NSA) to transmit sensitive data on commercial networks. The devices are added to the NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) component list which also includes other companies’ products providing the same security.
-
![UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release]()
UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release
The release of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has been long promised as mid-year. It is possible it could be as early as 2 June although the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to play its cards close to its chest.
