Leonardo may offer drone tech but has no plans for plant in Ukraine, CEO tells paper
Empower your mind, elevate your skills
Italy's Leonardo is open to supplying technology for drones but it does not plan to open a factory in Ukraine, the chief executive of the state-controlled defence group told daily Corriere della Sera in an interview published on Saturday.Rome hosted a conference on Thursday to mobilise international support for Ukraine, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the participants pledged more than €10 billion ($12 billion) to help the war-torn country.Leonardo has clinched an agreement with Turkish defence company Baykar and will soon begin production of drones in Italy, the Italian group's CEO Roberto Cingolani told Corriere, adding that Baykar was cooperating with Ukraine."We, in cooperation with other players, can make a technological contribution. We will see what the real demands are," Cingolani told the paper.Leonardo could help with equipment that makes drones more effective, the CEO said without elaborating."Having said that, we do not plan to open a factory in Ukraine," he added.Baykar was not immediately available to comment.($1 = €0.8555)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Kolhapuri chappal row: Prada to launch capsule collection of ‘Made in India' sandals with local artisans in Maharashtra
Responding to the backlash against its recent appropriation of Kolhapur's iconic 'chappals', Italian luxury fashion house Prada intends to launch a limited edition of 'Made in India' leather sandals, inspired by and in partnership with local artisans, according to the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA). After its first meeting with Prada representatives via video conferencing on Friday (July 11, 2025), MACCIA said the fashion major intends to send a technical team to Maharashtra next week in this regard. 'The capsule collection will comply with (geographical indication) GI-tag requirements and highlight Maharashtra's cultural heritage across global markets. This step marks a significant win for community recognition and inclusion in global design platforms,' a MACCIA representative said. 'The session focused on cultural recognition, ethical sourcing, and collaboration with Maharashtra's artisan community — particularly the Kolhapuri chappal industry, which inspired elements of Prada's Spring/Summer 2026 men's collection,' a MACCIA press statement said. News in Frames: Kolhapuri chappals walk on chic runways Cultural respect Prada was represented by five senior officials from its Milan headquarters, including its Chief Business Development Officer Roberto Massardi, the group's head of Corporate Socia Responsibility Lorenzo Bertelli and its Global Director of Communications Christopher Bugg. 'MACCIA presented six agenda points rooted in cultural respect, co-branded development, and fair trade principles. Prada showed alignment on all key issues and expressed clear interest in long-term engagement with artisan stakeholders,' it added. The business body said that the Prada team showcased successful global examples of their previous 'Made in' campaigns, featuring Made in Peru, Made in Japan, and Made in Scotland product lines. Exploring collaboration Prada representatives were introduced to other heritage crafts from Maharashtra, including Paithani weaving, Himroo textiles, Bichwas/Payal (anklets), and regional embroidery work, in a pitch for collaborations. 'Prada responded positively and agreed to explore these crafts for potential integration into future collections. The dialogue reflected genuine openness to cultural storytelling through design. Both parties also discussed launching structured knowledge exchange and training programmes between Indian and Italian artisans. Prada expressed interest in supporting artisan skill development, design innovation, and sustainability-led production models through cross-border collaboration and residencies,' the MACCIA representative said. 'This partnership can become a model for global fashion to work respectfully with traditional communities. We appreciate Prada's sincerity and look forward to building on this foundation,' MACCIA president Lalit Gandhi said. Prada had received flak globally after it had showcased Kolhapuri chappal-inspired leather sandals without attribution to the artisans who keep up the 800-year old unbroken tradition of crafting the GI-tagged chappals.
The Print
4 hours ago
- The Print
Prada keen to launch limited-edition ‘Kolhapuri-inspired' collection: MACCIA
'Prada expressed intent to launch a limited-edition Made-in-India Kolhapuri-inspired collection in partnership with local artisans,' an official statement from MACCIA said. Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture, which held a virtual meeting with senior Prada officials earlier in the day, said a technical expert team from the Italian fashion brand will be visiting India next week to identify local supply chain partners for Kolhapuri chappal. Mumbai, Jul 11 (PTI) Italian fashion major Prada on Friday expressed its intention to launch a Kolhapuri-inspired collection in partnership with local artisans, an industry grouping has said. It can be noted that the use of the centuries-old craft of Kolhapuri sandals (chappal) by Prada in a fashion show last month triggered a controversy on the contributions of Indian artisans and the way they are leveraged by global brands. MACCIA president Lalit Gandhi told PTI that the Italian team visiting India next week will examine product facilities, look at how those match up to their standards and define the systems for the way ahead. In the meeting, which had a slew of Prada officials — including chief business development officer Roberto Massardi and group head of corporate social responsibility Lorenzo Bertelli, among others — the Italian group has committed to include the 'Kolhapuri' mention in all its publications and commercialise the offering only after complying with GI (geographical indication) requirements, he added. As per MACCIA, Prada presented their 'early vision' for a Made-in-India 'Kolhapuri collection, and also cited successes behind similar tie-ups with Peru, Japan, and Scotland in the past. In the meeting, the chamber appealed to Prada for expanding the proposed collaboration beyond the Kolhapuri chappal to include heritage crafts, such as Paithani weaving, Himroo textiles, Bichwas/Payal (anklets), and regional embroidery work. 'Prada responded positively and agreed to explore these crafts for potential integration into future collections,' the industry grouping said. Gandhi said MACCIA has also asked Prada to set up an excellence lab in Maharashtra for spotting and sourcing, which will help the local wares get access to premium markets the world over. At least four representatives from Kolhapur closely associated with the chappal sector were part of the meeting, apart from some officials from MACCIA, Gandhi said. PTI AA BAL BAL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘EU remains ready to protect interests': After Trump ratchets up trade pressure with 30% tariffs on EU, Mexico, a strong global response
US President Donald Trump has announced that goods from the European Union and Mexico will face a 30 per cent tariff starting August 1. The decision, posted in letters on his social media platform, has drawn concern and criticism from political and industry leaders across Europe and the United States. European Council President Antonio Costa said the EU 'remains firm, united and ready to protect its interests.' He added: 'Tariffs are taxes. They fuel inflation, create uncertainty and hinder economic growth. We will continue to build strong trade partnerships worldwide.' European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the new tariffs would hurt businesses, consumers and supply chains on both sides of the Atlantic. 'The EU has consistently prioritised a negotiated solution with the US,' she said. 'We remain ready to continue working towards an agreement by August 1. At the same time, we will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required.' German auto industry association VDA said the decision adds to an already existing tariff of 27.5 per cent on car imports to the US, increasing costs for both companies and suppliers. 'The costs for our companies are already in the billions and the sum is growing every day,' said VDA President Hildegard Müller. She called for urgent dialogue between the EU and US to prevent further damage to industries on both sides. Wolfgang Niedermark, a senior official at the German industry group BDI, said the move 'is an alarm signal' for international trade. 'Tariffs as a means of political pressure lead to higher costs, risk jobs and weaken global competitiveness,' he said. BDI urged both governments to resume talks quickly and avoid further escalation. Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof also criticised the move, calling the US decision 'concerning and not the way forward.' He said the EU must remain united in seeking a solution that benefits both sides. The US announcement of 30% tariffs on goods imported from the European Union is concerning and not the way forward. The European Commission can count on our full support. As the EU we must remain united and resolute in pursuing an outcome with the United States that is mutually… — Dick Schoof (@MinPres) July 12, 2025 Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's office said it was important to avoid a trade conflict within the West, especially during the current global situation. 'We trust in the goodwill of all players to reach a fair agreement,' the statement said. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Harris said there was 'no need to escalate the situation' and that the EU would stay united as talks continue. US Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat, said the new tariffs would only increase costs for American families. 'How does increasing prices across the board like this help people in our country? Answer: it doesn't,' she said, calling it a '$2,000-plus annual Trump tariff tax on every family.' The President is announcing yet another round of tariffs on the EU and Mexico. How does increasing prices across the board like this help people in our country? Answer: it doesn't. It's a $2000 + annual Trump tariff tax on every family. — Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) July 12, 2025 Economists also raised alarms. Dan O'Brien of the Institute of International and European Affairs wrote on social media that a 30 per cent tariff on EU goods would 'have a significant trade destruction effect.' He said the threat of further retaliation could increase the risk of a larger economic conflict between the US and EU. Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank, said the EU should take a firm approach in negotiations. 'Trump is overlooking the fact that the economic impact in the form of higher inflation, higher interest rates, and slower growth will probably only be felt after a certain delay,' he told Reuters.
