Leonardo DRS targets international markets as global defence spending rises

A US soldier uses a Leonardo DRS Mounted Family of Computer Systems battle management system. The company sees a growing market internationally for its battle management systems. (Leonardo DRS)

Leonardo DRS has launched a strategic initiative to expand its international business, Bill Guyan, senior vice-president for business development and president for international business for Leonardo DRS, told Janes on 14 July. It is a top priority and in line with Leonardo's status as a global company, he said. “We're seeing an average of 9% increase of defence spending across the globe, and many countries significantly increasing by double digits,” driven by growing conflict and threats, Guyan said, adding that “we're seeing an international defence market, almost all regions, growing faster than the US market”.

The company's approach to this growing market is to work with local firms, he explained. “As a mid-tier defence company, as we look at the burgeoning international marketplace and all of those opportunities out there, these are opportunities for us to find partners, enable them to act as the prime, going after programmes in their home country,” according to Guyan.

As countries increase defence spending, they seek more domestic capacity, he continued. “In order to match up these increased numbers of opportunities, along with the national strategy of those respective markets, we look to partner with nations and, if we can, enable a local [company] to act as the prime rather than to go into the market and try to take that role on,” Guyan said.

Regional focus

“In each of the regions, we're ramping up our game. In Europe, we've had [a] long-standing position in the UK,” where Leonardo DRS continues to support the Bowman battle management system, he said.