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Leonardo Acquires 24.55% Stake in Finland’s SSH to Bolster Cybersecurity, Marking Progress in European Defence Integration

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Italy’s defence giant Leonardo will acquire a 24.55% stake in Finnish cybersecurity firm SSH Communications Security, the companies announced Tuesday, marking a significant step in Europe’s efforts to deepen defence cooperation and consolidate its security industry.

With this deal, Leonardo becomes SSH’s largest shareholder, underscoring the growing importance of cybersecurity in multi-domain defence systems. Leonardo, known for its aerospace and defence platforms, views cyber capabilities as critical components of modern warfare, particularly as systems become increasingly interconnected.

SSH CEO Rami Raulas emphasized that the Western defence sector is shifting from national protectionism to international collaboration, noting Leonardo’s investment as part of a broader movement toward shared capabilities and joint ventures across borders. He also cited the BAE-Japan-Leonardo partnership for a next-generation combat jet as an example of this trend.

Raulas added that a growing European sentiment of “Europeans for Europe”—spurred in part by concerns over U.S. foreign policy under Donald Trump—is encouraging intra-European defence partnerships, reducing reliance on American investments.

Leonardo, which posted €18 billion ($21.2 billion) in revenue in 2024, expects its cybersecurity segment to achieve double-digit growth in the coming years. “Cybersecurity will increasingly be embedded into defence platforms and will become a core component of global security solutions,” said Giuseppe Panizzardi, Leonardo’s head of M&A, during a conference call.

The agreement involves €20 million worth of newly issued SSH shares purchased by Leonardo. Upon completion, Accendo Capital, previously SSH’s largest investor, will hold a 20.87% stake.

SSH is recognized for its quantum-safe encryption and Zero Trust architecture—an approach that assumes all users and devices could be threats unless verified. Leonardo said the deal supports the formation of a “Made in Europe” Zero Trust ecosystem, aligning with the EU’s ambitions for digital sovereignty and homegrown cybersecurity infrastructure.

Motorola Solutions Nears $4.5 Billion Deal to Acquire Military Tech Firm Silvus Technologies

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Motorola Solutions is in advanced negotiations to acquire Silvus Technologies — a privately held maker of advanced wireless communication systems — in a deal valued at approximately $4.5 billion, according to a report from Bloomberg News citing sources familiar with the matter.

While a final agreement has not yet been reached, the companies may announce the deal within the coming weeks. Motorola Solutions, Silvus, and Silvus’s private equity owner TJC declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

About Silvus Technologies

Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Los Angeles, Silvus develops high-performance wireless radio systems used in military, defense, and maritime operations. The company has become increasingly relevant amid rising global geopolitical tensions, with many governments investing in the modernization of military communications and surveillance infrastructure.

Silvus had been exploring strategic alternatives, including a potential sale or initial public offering, before emerging as an acquisition target for Motorola.

Motorola’s Strategic Move

Chicago-based Motorola Solutions, best known for its public safety communications equipment such as walkie-talkies, body cameras, and surveillance software, appears poised to expand deeper into the defense and mission-critical communication markets with this acquisition.

In April, Motorola launched the SVX — an all-in-one device combining a remote speaker microphone, AI-powered assistant, and body camera aimed at first responders. The addition of Silvus could strengthen Motorola’s portfolio in military-grade mesh networking and field communications.

Financial Context

  • Motorola recently issued second-quarter guidance that missed analyst expectations.

  • Its stock is down 9% year-to-date.

  • The company holds a market valuation of $70.59 billion.

The acquisition of Silvus could bolster growth prospects and diversify Motorola’s critical communications offerings, especially at a time when demand for secure, resilient wireless infrastructure is rising across defense and public safety sectors.

Anduril to Take Over Microsoft’s $22 Billion US Army Headset Program

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Anduril, a defense technology startup founded by Palmer Luckey, will assume control over the development and production of Microsoft’s $22 billion Integrated Visual Augmentation System (IVAS) program for the U.S. Army, the companies confirmed on Tuesday. Under the new agreement, Anduril will manage production, future hardware and software development, and oversee delivery timelines for the project.

The IVAS program aims to equip soldiers with a mixed-reality headset that combines augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to enhance situational awareness and support the command of unmanned systems. As part of the deal, Microsoft Azure will serve as Anduril’s preferred hyperscale cloud platform for all workloads related to IVAS and Anduril’s AI technologies.

Microsoft initially developed its HoloLens technology for use in military headsets in collaboration with the U.S. Army, but Anduril will now take the lead in its execution. The agreement is still awaiting approval from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Luckey, who previously founded Oculus VR, which was acquired by Facebook in 2014 for $2.3 billion, is no stranger to the defense sector. Anduril has also formed partnerships with OpenAI and Palantir to leverage defense data for artificial intelligence training, further strengthening its position in the military tech space. The news comes as Anduril is reportedly in talks for a new funding round that could push the company’s valuation to $28 billion.