 "What is Italy’s new ‘Michelangelo Dome’ air defence system?")
Italy has formally presented an ambitious new defence initiative that aims to create one of Europe’s most advanced protection systems against modern threats.
The project, known as the Michelangelo Dome, is designed by the Italian defence and aerospace group Leonardo, which has positioned the system as a future backbone of coordinated air, missile, cyber and multi-domain defence for Italy, Europe and Nato.
The unveiling comes at a moment when European nations are racing to reinforce their military postures following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and increasingly frequent cyber intrusions.
The Michelangelo Dome is being framed by Italian officials as a transformative development intended to plug critical gaps in Europe’s defensive architecture.
What we know about Italy’s Michelangelo Dome
Leonardo introduced the Michelangelo Dome in Rome in the presence of Defence Minister Guido Crosetto and other top officials from the Italian armed forces.
The system represents a major component of Leonardo’s strategic push over the past several years to specialise in advanced defence technologies such as artificial intelligence, satellite capabilities, drones and cyber tools.
This direction was reinforced when the company established a dedicated space division, strengthened its drone portfolio and invested heavily in digital infrastructure aimed at unifying military platforms.
The project is designed to integrate a wide range of existing and future assets belonging to Italy and potential partner states.
Rather than depending on a fixed piece of hardware, the Dome is structured around a sophisticated software layer capable of blending data from various defence equipment — even if those systems were developed independently or belong to different nations.
Speaking to The Financial Times, one individual familiar with the architecture said this approach was chosen because “it’s based on the Nato standard, where we don’t all have the same platforms.”
They added that this model “will allow for faster and more co-ordinated implementation without focusing on competing aircraft, tanks and missiles.”
Leonardo chief executive Roberto Cingolani has repeatedly advocated for tighter international defence collaboration, arguing that unified digital structures are necessary to counter the increasingly complex nature of modern warfare.
Speaking at the company’s recent event, he said, “Defense must innovate, anticipate, and embrace international cooperation.”
He has also described the Michelangelo Dome as “the largest integration programme ever in the defence industry”, citing the project’s requirement to synchronise information and responses across multiple military layers.
This initiative is seen as essential because contemporary threats are no longer restricted to a single domain.
A modern air defence system must address ballistic trajectories, stealth aircraft, hypersonic glide vehicles, autonomous drones, underwater threats, and even cyberattacks designed to cripple command networks.
According to Leonardo’s presentation, the Michelangelo Dome is intended to monitor and respond to threats that appear from below sea level all the way into outer space.
How the Michelangelo Dome works
At the core of the Michelangelo Dome is a digital infrastructure that uses predictive artificial intelligence to anticipate incoming attacks and recommend or execute defensive measures.
The system gathers information from a wide array of sensors, radars, satellites, surveillance aircraft, naval systems and ground-based interceptors.
These inputs are processed to create a continuously updated operational picture, helping commanders determine optimal positioning of assets and enabling faster interception decisions.
Leonardo explained that the system is engineered to detect, track, intercept and neutralise a broad set of dangers — including rockets, drones, aircraft, cruise missiles and other airborne weapons — before they can strike intended targets.
The model is conceptually similar to Israel’s Iron Dome, a system widely cited in Europe for its ability to protect civilian centres and strategic infrastructure from projectile attacks.
Unlike the Iron Dome, however, Italy’s version is envisioned as part of a much wider, multi-domain structure that extends well beyond traditional air defence and includes cyber protections and naval integration.
The aim is to create a connected framework that facilitates communication between different platforms, regardless of their manufacturer or operating nation.
This level of interoperability is key to ensuring that European states, which rely on an assortment of national procurement programmes and defence suppliers, can coordinate more effectively in emergencies.
Cingolani has said the system is being engineered to respond to different scales of conflict, including scenarios that require integration between civil and military assets.
He emphasised that the system must manage an environment where offensive capabilities are advancing faster than defensive ones, and where the cost of developing effective shields is rising sharply.
The system’s AI-driven predictive capabilities are meant to offset this imbalance by reducing reaction times and optimising resource deployment.
According to individuals briefed on the trials, Leonardo has already begun advanced testing of the Dome’s ability to prevent or limit damage during simulated airspace incursions.
These early phases include exercises in identifying incoming threats, coordinating sensor data and evaluating interception strategies.
The goal is to have the system fully operational by 2030, with partial capabilities available from 2028 onward.
How Italy’s Michelangelo Dome complements Nato’s defence push
Italy’s decision to promote the Michelangelo Dome aligns with a broader European trend toward shared defence solutions.
Three years ago, Germany launched the European Sky Shield Initiative, a cooperative effort encouraging participating nations to jointly procure compatible air defence platforms.
More than 20 European states — from the UK to Finland and the Baltic countries — have since joined the initiative.
Germany has stated that its procurement strategy involves acquiring Iris-T systems for medium-range coverage, Patriot batteries for long-range defence, and Israel’s Arrow 3 system for exceptionally high-altitude interception.
While Sky Shield was initially criticised by France for favouring systems built outside Europe, it nonetheless accelerated discussions regarding continental defence cooperation and interoperability challenges.
Italy has signalled that the Michelangelo Dome could complement or integrate with these ongoing efforts, particularly since its architecture is designed to plug into varied national technologies.
Crosetto said, “Each country can integrate its own technologies.”
He also noted that the Michelangelo Dome is intended to address an expansive threat spectrum, “Together, we can cooperate to create a highly advanced defense system against all types of threats, from hypersonic missiles to small drones, because threats now come in many different forms.”
According to Italian officials, Rome has already initiated conversations with several European counterparts to explore potential cooperation involving the new system.
The government is simultaneously preparing a combined task force of defence experts and Leonardo engineers to tailor the system’s architecture to Italy’s internal requirements.
How Dome-style shields are gaining momentum
In May, US President Donald Trump revealed intentions to construct an American equivalent, labelled the “Golden Dome.”
This system is supposed to become operational before the conclusion of his second term, though reports have recently indicated that progress has been slowed significantly due to disruptions stemming from the recent government shutdown.
Turkey has simultaneously moved ahead with its own upgrade plans. The country’s Defence Industries Presidency (SSB) disclosed that domestic defence companies had signed contracts valued at $6.5 billion to advance the “Steel Dome,” a layered defence system designed to strengthen Turkey’s broad security environment.
Taiwan also announced a defensive network of its own, described as “T-Dome,” aimed at fortifying the island’s readiness in the face of persistent military pressure from China.
European defence experts note that Italy’s Dome stands apart because of its explicit focus on multi-domain integration and its heavy reliance on advanced artificial intelligence for decision support.
With inputs from agencies
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