‘Michelangelo Dome’ explained 

November 29, 2025

Italy has unveiled a major new defence initiative aimed at creating one of Europe’s most advanced protective systems against modern security threats. The project, known as the Michelangelo Dome, has been developed by the Italian defence and aerospace company Leonardo and is being promoted as a future backbone for coordinated air, missile, cyber and multi-domain defence for Italy, Europe and Nato. The announcement comes amid Europe’s push to strengthen military capabilities following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and rising cyber intrusions targeting critical sectors. Italian officials are presenting the system as a transformative step meant to address longstanding vulnerabilities in Europe’s defence framework.

Leonardo introduced the Michelangelo Dome in Rome during a presentation attended by Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and senior military leadership. The system marks a significant milestone in Leonardo’s broader strategy of expanding its capabilities in high-tech defence fields. Over the past several years, the company has focused on developing technologies in artificial intelligence, satellite systems, advanced drones and cyber defence. It has strengthened its space division, expanded its drone programmes and poured resources into digital infrastructure intended to connect diverse military platforms more effectively.

The Michelangelo Dome is designed as an integrated network rather than a single hardware solution. Its core is a sophisticated software environment capable of merging data from a wide array of defence assets, whether already in service or planned for future deployment. This includes systems belonging to Italy as well as those of partner countries. A key feature of the project is its ability to unify information from equipment developed by different manufacturers or different states, addressing one of Europe’s persistent defence challenges: interoperability.

By blending data streams from air defence radars, missile shields, satellite networks, drones, cyber monitoring tools and ground-based sensors, the Dome aims to create a real-time awareness picture that can support rapid decision-making across military domains. The system is also intended to be adaptable, evolving as new threats emerge and as partner nations upgrade their capabilities. Italy views the project as a step toward a more cohesive European defence structure and hopes it will contribute to wider Nato efforts to modernise and coordinate the continent’s security systems.

Officials have framed the Michelangelo Dome as both a technological leap and a strategic tool that could help Europe close crucial gaps in its defensive posture at a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty.