Italian aerospace and defence group Leonardo has strengthened its cybersecurity capabilities with the acquisition of UK-based firm Becrypt, a move aimed at expanding the company’s role in protecting critical national infrastructure and government systems.
The acquisition is part of Leonardo’s broader strategy to grow its cybersecurity division and build a stronger European capability in digital security for defence, government and critical infrastructure sectors.
Becrypt is a specialist cybersecurity company that provides technologies designed to secure sensitive data and protect critical systems used by governments and strategic industries. Its solutions are widely used to safeguard infrastructure such as hospitals, banks and satellite systems.
Through the deal, Leonardo will integrate Becrypt’s expertise in secure operating environments and endpoint protection with its own cyber defence platforms and services. The move is expected to strengthen Leonardo’s position in the growing market for sovereign cybersecurity technologies across Europe.
The acquisition reflects a broader shift within the defence and aerospace sector toward expanding cyber capabilities alongside traditional domains such as air, land, sea and space. Leonardo has identified cybersecurity as a core pillar of its industrial strategy and has been actively exploring mergers, acquisitions and partnerships to accelerate growth in the sector.
In recent years the company has invested heavily in building an integrated cyber portfolio capable of protecting both information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) environments used in defence systems and critical infrastructure.
The addition of Becrypt will enhance Leonardo’s ability to deliver secure digital platforms for governments and defence organisations, particularly in areas such as classified communications, secure mobility and protection of sensitive data.
The acquisition also strengthens Leonardo’s presence in the United Kingdom, where the company already has significant defence and cyber operations supporting national security programmes.
With cyber threats continuing to escalate globally, the deal underscores the increasing importance of sovereign cyber capabilities for both governments and defence industries as they seek to secure critical infrastructure, military systems and national digital ecosystems.
