Italian defence group Leonardo unveils 'Michelangelo Dome' air defence system

Leonardo logo is seen displayed in this illustration

Italy's defence and aerospace group Leonardo on Thursday presented plans for a new multi-layered air defence system, as European countries step up military capabilities to bolster defences against Russia and other threats.

The "Michelangelo Dome" is designed to protect critical infrastructure and key areas of national or international interest from threats by connecting different platforms and equipment in space, air, on land or at sea.

After a partial implementation, Michelangelo will start to be fully operational from 2028. The plans were presented to top Italian military officials in the past few days.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto has recently called for solutions to combat hybrid warfare threats, particularly for energy infrastructure and airports.

"Each country can integrate its own technologies," Crosetto said on Thursday."Together, we can cooperate to create a highly advanced defence system against all types of threats, from hypersonic missiles to small drones, because threats now come in many different forms," he said from Paris after a meeting with French counterpart Catherine Vautrin.

Crosetto said Italy had already talked to other European countries about the project.