Aerospace and Security

Italy's Aerospace and Security industry is one of the most dynamic and strategic sectors of the country's manufacturing system, with a strong focus on innovation, engineering excellence, and international reach. High value-added manufacturing and a strong focus on exports make it a pillar of the national economy and a major player at the European level.

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Ad astra: Italy's aerospace industry is ready for takeoff

Italy's aerospace industry remains one of the most important in Europe and continues on a trajectory of constant growth. In 2024 (latest available data), the sector reached a turnover of €19 billion, an increase of about €1 billion compared to the previous year.

The supply chain includes over 1,000 companies, more than 80% of which are SMEs, supported by a core of large industrial groups active in the main European and international programs. On the employment front, the number of employees in 2024 reached 56,292, an increase of more than 6,000 jobs compared to 2023.

€8 BILLIONexport value (2024)

+56kemployees (2024)

+1kcompanies (2024)

On the international front, aerospace sector exports reached approximately €8 billion in 2024. The European Union accounts for 40% of foreign sales, followed by the United States with 25% and the Middle East with 15%.

The main destination markets in Europe include the United Kingdom and France, followed by Ireland and Poland, the latter being among the most dynamic destinations: in the two-year period 2023–2024, together with the United States, they recorded the fastest growth in absolute value.

Sources: Economia dello Spazio, Cristina Leone al 3° Forum Space&Blue: crescita del comparto aerospaziale italiano ("Cristina Leone at the 3rd Space&Blue Forum: growth of Italy's aerospace sector"), 2025; Industria Italiana, Lo space tech italiano guarda oltreoceano: Ice e Agenzia Spaziale Italiana portano 50 imprese alle fiere di settore negli Usa ("Italian space tech looks overseas: ICE and the Italian Space Agency bring 50 companies to industry trade shows in the United States"); The Observatory of Economic Complexity, Aircraft and spacecraft in Italy (reporter ITA).

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Main subsectors

The aerospace supply chain and the defense and security supply chain partially overlap, particularly in the military applications of aeronautical and space systems.

The aerospace sector, however, also includes the civilian segment (commercial aviation and telecommunications satellites), while the defense sector also encompasses land, naval, and cyber capabilities.

Source: AIAD, Il ruolo strategico della filiera industriale della difesa e della sicurezza per la crescita e la competitività del sistema-Italia nel contesto europeo ("The strategic role of the defense and security industrial supply chain in fostering the growth and competitiveness of Italy's economic system within the European context").

Defence and Security

6.45

€ BILLION

export value (2024)

Space

Aeronautics

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Excellence and innovation

Over the past few decades, Italy's aerospace industry has evolved into an integral part of major European programs in both the civilian and military domains. Italian expertise is evident across a wide range of areas, from structural design and propulsion to avionics and space missions.

Italy's participation in projects such as the Eurofighter—a state-of-the-art European fighter aircraft designed to deliver a broad range of operational capabilities and an unprecedented level of effectiveness in air defense—as well as satellite observation programs such as Copernicus and IRIDE, and its contributions to ESA and NASA missions, reflects a longstanding tradition built on strong technical expertise recognized internationally.

Sources: Eurofighter, A Truly European Programme; MDPI, Innovative Photonic Sensors for Safety and Security, Part II: Aerospace and Submarine Applications; ESA, Moving ahead with Italy's constellation of Earth observation satellites; ENEA, Tecnologia: Brasimone, ENEA a Dronitaly con droni sottomarini, sensori hi-tech e scuola di volo ("Technology: Brasimone—ENEA at Dronitaly with underwater drones, high-tech sensors, and a flight school"); Spaceconomy360, Test superato: acceso il più grande motore autofago mai realizzato ("Test passed: the largest autophagic engine ever built successfully ignited").

"Made in Italy" aerospace has produced innovative machinery such as:

Next-generation optical systems

Miniaturized satellites

Artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, autonomous robotics, and multifunctional drones

Autophage rocket engines

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Regional impact

The Italian aerospace districts represent a strategic asset for national industry, not only for their economic value, but also for their ability to enhance regional specificities and promote innovation. Coordinated by the National Aerospace Technology Cluster (CTNA), these hubs are distributed throughout the country, each with distinct specializations.

This industrial landscape not only strengthens Italy's competitiveness in the aerospace sector but is also rooted in regions that are attractive for their quality of life, technical expertise, and tourism. Cities such as Turin, Florence, Naples, Bari, and Trieste exemplify this integrated potential, where culture, research, and industry converge, making these districts ideal locations for investment, start-ups, and international collaboration.

Sources: Marco Battaglia, Distretto Gate 4.0 Il ruolo dei 13 distretti italiani per l’innovazione ("Gate 4.0 District: the role of Italy's 13 districts in driving innovation"), Airpress, - ART-ER, Aerospazio ("Aerospace").

Some of the regions most closely associated with the industry