On May 15th in Turin, the Piedmont Aerospace District, the Lombardia Aerospace Cluster, and the Liguria SIIT district signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration between the aerospace sectors of Piedmont, Lombardy, and Liguria. The agreement was formalized at the Salone d’Onore of Castello del Valentino, the seat of the Polytechnic University of Turin, and is part of the North-West Economic Cabin initiative, a collaborative framework between the three regions established in October 2025.
The protocol’s objective is to create a more structured coordination among these three territories, which represent a significant portion of Italy’s aerospace industry. According to data presented during the event, Piedmont, Lombardy, and Liguria collectively account for over 60% of the national aerospace sector’s turnover.
Piedmont boasts a turnover of approximately 8 billion euros and employs 35,000 people, with expertise in engine technology, space infrastructure, and aerospace manufacturing. Lombardy, with about 6.3 billion euros in turnover, nearly 3 billion in exports, and 22,000 employees, has an active supply chain in aeronautics, helicopters, satellites, and high-technology systems. Liguria, on the other hand, exceeds 1 billion euros in turnover and employs 5,000 people, specializing in electronics, cybersecurity, integrated systems, and applications related to the space economy.
The protocol aims to connect industrial capabilities, universities, research centers, and small and medium-sized enterprises. The three districts will collaborate on joint projects in areas such as green aviation, the space economy, artificial intelligence, Industry 5.0, cybersecurity, and advanced air mobility. Another key aspect is internationalization, with the potential for coordinated participation in calls for proposals, trade fairs, and international events, also in synergy with the National Aerospace Technology Cluster.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding was overseen by the presidents: Maurizio De Mitri for the Piedmont Aerospace District, Paolo Cerabolini for the Lombardia Aerospace Cluster, and Remo Giuseppe Pertica for the Liguria SIIT district. Regional councilors Andrea Tronzano, Guido Guidesi, and Alessio Piana were also present, along with the president of the National Aerospace Technology Cluster, Cristina Leone.
The Beginning of a Process?
For Piedmont, the agreement is also linked to the development of the Turin Aerospace City, a project initiated in 2023 in the Corso Marche area to consolidate research, industry, and training into a dedicated hub for the aerospace sector.
During the event, several technological areas were highlighted as potential focuses for coordination in the coming years. These include smart materials for aeronautical applications, artificial intelligence algorithms for autonomous systems and drone swarms, adaptive simulators for pilot training, surface treatments for large space modules, and edge computing systems to enhance autonomy in orbital and deep space operations.
Liguria will contribute expertise related to both the downstream and upstream segments of the space economy, satellite data management, cybersecurity, and complex integrated systems. Lombardy will contribute its well-established industrial supply chain in the aeronautics, helicopter, space, and high-technology systems sectors.
In addition to industrial aspects, the protocol also includes initiatives focused on human capital, with coordinated actions for STEM education and for engaging young people and students in high-technology professions. This is a crucial point for a sector that, in the coming years, will need to support production growth, the evolution of space and aeronautical systems, and the demand for new technical skills.
The agreement does not yet define specific industrial programs or funding, but it formalizes a framework for collaboration among three of Italy’s leading aerospace ecosystems. The challenge, as emphasized by the three presidents of the Aerospace Districts during the event, will be to transform inter-district coordination into operational, measurable projects capable of consistently engaging businesses, research, and territories.
English Translation:
On May 15th in Turin, the Piedmont Aerospace District, the Lombardia Aerospace Cluster, and the Liguria SIIT district signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration between the aerospace sectors of Piedmont, Lombardy, and Liguria. The agreement was formalized at the Salone d’Onore of Castello del Valentino, the seat of the Polytechnic University of Turin, and is part of the North-West Economic Cabin initiative, a collaborative framework between the three regions established in October 2025.
The protocol’s objective is to create a more structured coordination among these three territories, which represent a significant portion of Italy’s aerospace industry. According to data presented during the event, Piedmont, Lombardy, and Liguria collectively account for over 60% of the national aerospace sector’s turnover.
Piedmont boasts a turnover of approximately 8 billion euros and employs 35,000 people, with expertise in engine technology, space infrastructure, and aerospace manufacturing. Lombardy, with about 6.3 billion euros in turnover, nearly 3 billion in exports, and 22,000 employees, has an active supply chain in aeronautics, helicopters, satellites, and high-technology systems. Liguria, on the other hand, exceeds 1 billion euros in turnover and employs 5,000 people, specializing in electronics, cybersecurity, integrated systems, and applications related to the space economy.
The protocol aims to connect industrial capabilities, universities, research centers, and small and medium-sized enterprises. The three districts will collaborate on joint projects in areas such as green aviation, the space economy, artificial intelligence, Industry 5.0, cybersecurity, and advanced air mobility. Another key aspect is internationalization, with the potential for coordinated participation in calls for proposals, trade fairs, and international events, also in synergy with the National Aerospace Technology Cluster.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding was overseen by the presidents: Maurizio De Mitri for the Piedmont Aerospace District, Paolo Cerabolini for the Lombardia Aerospace Cluster, and Remo Giuseppe Pertica for the Liguria SIIT district. Regional councilors Andrea Tronzano, Guido Guidesi, and Alessio Piana were also present, along with the president of the National Aerospace Technology Cluster, Cristina Leone.
The Beginning of a Process?
For Piedmont, the agreement is also linked to the development of the Turin Aerospace City, a project initiated in 2023 in the Corso Marche area to consolidate research, industry, and training into a dedicated hub for the aerospace sector.
During the event, several technological areas were highlighted as potential focuses for coordination in the coming years. These include smart materials for aeronautical applications, artificial intelligence algorithms for autonomous systems and drone swarms, adaptive simulators for pilot training, surface treatments for large space modules, and edge computing systems to enhance autonomy in orbital and deep space operations.
Liguria will contribute expertise related to both the downstream and upstream segments of the space economy, satellite data management, cybersecurity, and complex integrated systems. Lombardy will contribute its well-established industrial supply chain in the aeronautics, helicopter, space, and high-technology systems sectors.
In addition to industrial aspects, the protocol also includes initiatives focused on human capital, with coordinated actions for STEM education and for engaging young people and students in high-technology professions. This is a crucial point for a sector that, in the coming years, will need to support production growth, the evolution of space and aeronautical systems, and the demand for new technical skills.
The agreement does not yet define specific industrial programs or funding, but it formalizes a framework for collaboration among three of Italy’s leading aerospace ecosystems. The challenge, as emphasized by the three presidents of the Aerospace Districts during the event, will be to transform inter-district coordination into operational, measurable projects capable of consistently engaging businesses, research, and territories.
