The Italian government has moved to oust Roberto Cingolani as chief executive of Leonardo, the country's dominant defence group, despite the company's significant growth under his leadership. Rome proposed Lorenzo Mariani, Leonardo's former chief commercial officer, as his successor by adding him to the board list published by the finance ministry. While the government has not publicly stated its reasons for removing Cingolani, Italy's controlling shareholder status gives it significant influence. Leonardo's share price fell 8 per cent when the news broke, contrasting sharply with Cingolani's tenure where shares increased fivefold and net profit rose 91 per cent to €1.33bn.

The planned change comes just weeks after Cingolani outlined a four-year strategy, including the Michelangelo Dome missile defence project. Cingolani, a scientist who served in Mario Draghi's government, built alliances including a tank partnership with Germany's Rheinmetall and a space tie-up with Airbus and Thales. Lorenzo Mariani currently leads Italy at MBDA, a European missile manufacturer co-owned by BAE Systems, Airbus, and Leonardo. Italian officials indicated Cingolani's "proactivity" and "technocratic approach" faced criticism, with Mariani seen as offering "much needed continuity".

The move reflects political tensions within Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's coalition, where "political considerations" ultimately prevailed over internal disagreement.