Rome (21 May 2026) – ADS and AIAD have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation for their respective defence and security sectors.
The MoU aims to promote a long-term partnership designed to develop joint initiatives and share industrial opportunities within their respective defence and security markets.
Planned activities include the organisation and facilitation of trade missions and delegation visits between the United Kingdom and Italy; the coordination of participation in trade fairs, forums and industry events; and support for UK and Italian companies exploring market entry and investment opportunities abroad.
The MoU will also aim to establish a joint working group which will meet periodically to identify priority areas for cooperation and define methods of collaboration.
The signing took place on the sidelines of a UK Public Security Exhibition, organised by ADS and the British Embassy in Rome at Villa Wolkonsky, the official residence of the British Ambassador to Italy.
Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS, said:
“The long-standing partnership between the United Kingdom and Italy across the aerospace, defence, security and space sectors is deeply entrenched, built on years of close collaboration and shared opportunity. This MoU marks another important milestone in that partnership, underlining ADS’ commitment to supporting its members in building strong export relationships and unlocking international opportunities.”
AIAD President Giuseppe Cossiga, commented:
“The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between AIAD and ADS represents an important step in the process of consolidating bilateral cooperation between Italy and the United Kingdom in the defence and security sectors and reaffirms AIAD’s commitment to fostering continuous dialogue with international partners and generating new growth opportunities for Italian industry.”
ENDS.
Notes to editors:
About ADS
ADS is the trade association for the UK’s aerospace, defence, security, and space industries, representing over 1,800 members. We work with those sectors to secure the UK’s advantage, enhance the UK’s international positioning as a go-to destination for innovation, and deliver on our sustainable leadership goals. ADS Group Ltd is the parent company of exhibition company Farnborough International, organiser of Farnborough International Airshow.
About AIAD
AIAD is the Federation, and a member of Confindustria, representing Italian Aerospace, Defence and Security companies. It brings together almost all of the country’s high-technology companies engaged in design, production, research and services across the following sectors: civil and military aerospace, naval and land defence systems, and related electronic, cyber and security systems. AIAD maintains close and continuous relations with national and international institutions, including NATO bodies, in order to promote, represent and safeguard the interests of the industry it represents.
