Change at the top of ELDIG, the European association of land defense industries. The outgoing president Heikki Allonen, president and CEO of Patria, has in fact passed the baton to Roberto Cortesi, director of the Defense Systems division of Leonardo-Finmeccanica. The ceremony took place during the Eurosatory show in Paris. The presidency of the association, which brings together the major European players in the terrestrial systems sector, is entrusted on a rotating basis once every two years to one of the companies that are part of it.
ELDIG represents more than 100.000 employees and is part of the ASD (AeroSpace and Defense Industries Association of Europe), the association of European aerospace and defense industries, which employs more than 3.000 nations over 20, with a total of 792.000 employees.
"ELDIG is an important forum that promotes terrestrial systems by strengthening cooperation between the main industries in the sector, European organizations, authorities and administrations. During the presidency of Patria, ELDIG achieved important results together with the main protagonists of the defense sector. We have also defined policies and achieved important industrial goals. For Leonardo-Finmeccanica this is an excellent starting point for continuing on the path that has been successfully undertaken, "emphasizes Heikki Allonen, the outgoing president of ELDIG.
"Leonardo is proud to assume the presidency of this important industrial grouping and to represent the European sector of terrestrial systems, where it plays a leading role. I intend to carry out this important new task in a pragmatic way, to effectively represent the over 100.000 employees of the sector in Europe Our goal will be to strengthen the defense industry in the continent, improve our global competitiveness and support the spirit of partnership that characterizes the defense sector in the European Union, "commented Roberto Cortesi , the new president of ELDIG.
(photo: ELDIG)
