ROME, March 12 (Reuters) - Italian defence and aerospace

group Leonardo said on Thursday it was stepping up

investment in computing, artificial intelligence and

cybersecurity over the next five years as it aims to evolve into

a high-profile digital defence player.

Under the last industrial plan, the state-controlled group

heavily invested in digitalisation, defence electronics and

interconnected platforms. That marked a transition away from a

traditional defence model towards integrated security and

advanced technologies, which CEO Roberto Cingolani described as

moving "from bullets to bytes".

The group now "benefits from a competitive advantage that

few others possess, enabling us to develop products and

solutions capable of addressing further threats," Cingolani said

in a statement.

As part of its strategy, the group is counting on its

Michelangelo Dome - a new multi-layered air defence system - to

unlock business opportunities estimated at 21 billion euros ($24

billion) over the next decade.

In the new five-year plan, Leonardo forecasts cumulative

orders of 142 billion euros by the end of 2030, implying a

compound average annual growth of 6.1%.

Revenues are expected to rise an average of 9% a year

between 2026 and 2030 to reach 126 billion euros in total, while

core profits are expected to double from end-2025 levels to 3.59

billion euros by the end of the plan.

STRONG GROWTH

Earlier on Thursday, Leonardo said it was "positioned on a

path of strong growth", with orders, revenues and core profits

set to rise further.

The group forecast orders of about 25 billion euros this

year from 23.8 billion euros in 2025, and revenues of around 21

billion euros from 19.5 billion euros last year.

Earnings before interest, taxes and amortisation are

expected to increase to 2.03 billion euros by the end of the

year, it added.

Leonardo also proposed a dividend of 0.63 euros per share on

last year's results.

($1 = 0.8659 euros)

(Reporting by Giulia Segreti in Rome; Editing by Alvise

Armellini and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)