Tom Kington
Tom Kington is the Italy correspondent for Defense News.
All Stories By Tom
Italian defense-spending rise may underwhelm new US leader
Rome's defense spending has been increasing at a steady rate but is unlikely to be fast enough for Donald Trump.
Chinese COVID aid talks with Libyans called a plot to smuggle drones
The accusations are contained in court documents submitted in Montreal and related to conspiracy charges made in April against two Libyan nationals.
France and Italy order upgraded SAMP/T air-defense systems
The next-generation upgrade gives the French-Italian system an intercept range of more than 150 kilometers, or 93 miles.
Italy to buy 25 extra F-35 fighter jets under new budget
Rome will also invest half a billion euros in 2024 on development of the Global Combat Air Programme sixth-generation fighter.
Leonardo plans upgrades for its UK operations, as leaders meet
The Italian defense group will invest £435 million ($575 million) in the UK this year, including upgrades to its helicopter production line.
Italian Air Force’s famed acrobatic squad changes course on new planes
The Frecce Tricolori is to switch to flying the Leonardo M-346 jet trainer after using the aging M-339 for decades.
EU told to hire defense industry commissioner to compete with US
The European Union must find new ways of jolting its collective defense industry, a new report in Brussels urges.
With Italian ship visit, Japanese officials observe F-35 carrier ops
As Japan gets set to receive the first of 42 purchased F-35Bs which will fly from two carriers, Tokyo officials got a sneak peek on the Cavour.
Italy signs €1.5 billion contract for two new FREMM frigates
The platforms will offer enhanced capabilities for defeating drone attacks and operating sub-sea, surface and aerial unmanned systems.
Leonardo, Rheinmetall eye three-year rush to field Italy’s new tanks
The Italian company hopes to piggy-back on Rheinmetall into the Europe's next-gen battle tank program.
