Tom Kington
Defense News
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Past articles by Tom:
Leonardo up-guns its M-346 fighter, teams with Airbus on trainer sales
A beefier gun by French maker Nexter can fire munition for different mission types, ground or air. → Read More
Behind Europe’s ammo pledge to Ukraine, some manufacturers grow leery
Companies are looking for more guidance from the EU as they balance the need for speedy production with hefty market intervention from Brussels. → Read More
Leonardo’s new CEO shakes up management
Find out what the change of leadership at Leonardo means for the Italian firm — and its employees. → Read More
Italy-Azerbaijan energy talks spawn C-27J aircraft sales for Leonardo
Rome's defense ministry is increasingly seen as going to bat for state-owned defense contractors Leonardo and Fincantieri to advance sales. → Read More
Italian police search former defense exec’s home in corruption probe
The accused have denied wrongdoing in a bribery scheme that allegedly involved sales of planes and ships to Colombia. → Read More
Italy’s new warships will boast bigger bellies for landing forces
The investments come amid thrust by Italy's military to be more capable in expeditionary operations. → Read More
French vision for an autonomous Europe proves elusive
Russia's war against Ukraine has led to some fresh soul-searching in Europe about the continent's reliance on the United States for security. → Read More
EU pledges over $1 billion to refresh its arms factories for Ukraine
The scheme aims to build new ammunition and missile plants, upgrade existing ones and encourage cross-border collaboration. → Read More
EU nations quarrel over where to buy fresh ammo for Ukraine
Officials in Brussels debate how far a mandate for local purchases of weapons and ammunition should go. → Read More
Antsy about its aging tanks, Italy is mulling a rush purchase
The move could entail a lease of German-made Leopard tanks from allied nations. → Read More
Meloni visits India, UAE to patch up old defense kerfuffles
The Italian prime minister told her Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, she wants to get Italian defense sales to India back on track. → Read More
Starbucks’s olive oil coffee gets up Italian noses
Since the 16th century, when Venetians began importing coffee beans, Italians have considered themselves the world’s most discerning coffee drinkers.So it’s little surprise that many have reacted with suspicion to the latest innovation by Starbucks: olive oil infused coffee. → Read More
Meloni rules out giving Italy’s old fighter jets to Ukraine
But the Italian prime minister was keen to show Rome's support for Kyiv during a visit there after being embarrassed by pro-Russian rhetoric at home. → Read More
When will the war in Ukraine end? Experts offer their predictions.
First were the helmets, then the Leopard tanks. The evolving approach of sending aid to Ukraine fits a conflict as fluid as it is unpredictable. → Read More
Wallace urges Italy, Japan to stick with just-launched fighter project
“As we British say: ‘In for a penny, in for a pound,’” the U.K. defense minister said ahead of a trilateral meeting on the Global Combat Air Programme. → Read More
Italy taps local defense companies to work on next-gen warplane
Leonardo, Elettronica, Avio Aero and MBDA Italia will support Italy's early work for the envisioned Global Combat Air Programme with the U.K. and Japan. → Read More
Pope Francis: Critics should say it to my face
Pope Francis has described the increasing criticism he faces from conservative Catholics as a “rash” and demanded his foes challenge him “to my face” while defending his much maligned dealings with the Chinese government.The Pope threw down the gauntlet to enemies of his “mercy-over-dogma” style as → Read More
Italy confirms Samp-T missile-defense donation to Ukraine
The Rome government is teaming with fellow weapon user France to send the system to Ukraine, as Russian missiles and drones batter civilian infrastructure. → Read More
Matteo Messina Denaro: a code of silence shielded the ‘last godfather’ for 30 years
Following the capture of Italy’s most wanted mafia boss, Matteo Messina Denaro, his home town in Sicily is in two camps.“Most people here are like me, overjoyed → Read More
Italy taps Iveco to supply new amphibious combat vehicles
Rome announced in 2021 that a new water-capable ride was one of seven ‘Flagship’ programs which would have a guaranteed funding stream. → Read More