Leonardo is growing in naval electronics with the acquisition of 100% of Gem Elettronica.
Today the defense and aerospace giant rises to 100% ownership of the Marche-based company of which it already held 65%. The aerospace group announced this in a statement.
The company from San Benedetto del Tronto operates in fields complementary to those of the former Finmeccanica group. It specializes in the production of small and medium-sized 3D radars, electro-optical sensors, and inertial systems for the maritime, avionics, and land sectors.
All the details.
THE ACQUISITION OF CONTROL OF GEM
Now the group led by Roberto Cingolani has full control of Gem.
Indeed, in September 2024 Leonardo announced the completion of the acquisition of control of Gem Elettronica for about 16 million euros. Following the agreement, the former Finmeccanica company increased its stake from 30% to 65% in the Marche-based company active in naval electronics.
Up to today, with the announcement of the acquisition of the entire capital of Gem Elettronica, rising from 65% to 100%.
THE STRATEGY OF THE GROUP LED BY ROBERTO CINGOLANI
The operation is in line with the objectives of the Industrial Plan aimed at pursuing key acquisitions in strategic areas. Furthermore, it allows the Leonardo group to “strengthen and complete the offer of radars and systems for naval and coastal applications thanks to the full integration of the product portfolio”.
Gem focuses on the development and production of navigation systems, situational awareness, radar sensors, optronic and inertial sensors used in the naval military domain and coastal surveillance. The company closed 2025 with a turnover of over 45 million euros.
WHAT GEM ELETTRONICA DOES
Founded in 1977, Gem Elettronica has 145 employees and is characterized by production carried out almost exclusively in-house.
Active in both civil and military markets, the company based in San Benedetto del Tronto (AP), boasts a presence both in Italy and abroad and important collaborations with national and international players.
THE CLIENTS
Among the Italian clients are: Ministry of Defense, Navy, Army, Carabinieri, Police, Port Authorities – Coast Guard and Finance Police.
But Gem Elettronica also exports abroad: Albania; Argentina; Bangladesh; China; Croatia; Faroe Islands; France; Georgia; Germany; United Kingdom; Greece; Netherlands; India; Indonesia; Libya; Malta; Malaysia; Morocco; Norway; Oman; Pakistan; Qatar; Romania; Singapore; Sri Lanka; Turkey; United Arab Emirates; USA and Venezuela.
GEM’S COLLABORATION WITH LEONARDO ON FREMM AND NAVAL LAW
As a supplier, Gem has been collaborating for years with Leonardo on numerous projects, including the Fremm program and Naval Law, the plan to modernize the Italian Navy fleet.
Leonardo is a 49% partner in the JV with Fincantieri Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (Ons). Osn acts as the prime contractor for Italy in the Italian-French Fremm program for the construction of 10 frigates for the Navy, with Fincantieri as the platform design authority and Leonardo as the supplier of the Combat System.
In 2024 Orizzonte Sistemi Navali signed a contract worth about 1.5 billion euros for the construction of two new Fremm frigates in the “Evolution” version, called “Fremm Evo” for the Navy.
