Leonardo chief pushes regional aerospace-defence hub, sparking partisan clash in Tuscany
Leonardo president Francesco Macrì has asked the Tuscan regional government to formalise a network linking the company, local suppliers, universities and research centres, but the proposal faces strong opposition from the regional PD and trade unions.
Francesco Macrì, president of Leonardo and executive head of Estra, recently urged the Tuscany region to create a formal mechanism that would connect Leonardo’s four local plants with about 240 regional firms, universities and research bodies. While Confindustria and Cisl have voiced support, the regional PD secretariat and left-wing unions have raised objections, fearing a shift toward a war-economy focus. Regional assessor Leonardo Marras indicated that the region already has a statute for a “Distretto Toscana Aerospazio” drafted with Leonardo and local chambers, but it has never been launched.
He encouraged Leonardo to accelerate the process, asserting the region’s readiness. In contrast, PD regional secretary Emiliano Fossi stressed the need to separate aerospace and cyber-security collaboration from any arms production, calling the linkage misleading. The Lega, through deputy Andrea Barabotti, has called for a joint working table involving the region, Leonardo, firms and academia to define the initiative’s shape and tools.
Why it matters
The proposal could reshape Tuscany’s industrial landscape and trigger a political debate over linking civilian aerospace work with defence activities.
In this story
