Anduril Industries to Build Major Manufacturing Facility in Ohio

News Summary

Anduril Industries, a defense technology firm, plans to establish a large manufacturing facility named ‘Arsenal 1’ in Pickaway County, Ohio, creating around 4,000 jobs. Set on a 500-acre site near Rickenbacker International Airport, the facility will focus on producing military drones and autonomous air vehicles, with production expected to begin in July 2026. This initiative, praised by Ohio’s Governor Mike DeWine, is a significant step for Ohio’s aerospace sector, contributing to the region’s economic growth and technological advancement.

Pickaway County, Ohio – Anduril Industries, a defense technology firm based in Costa Mesa, California, has announced plans to construct a major manufacturing facility in central Ohio, a development set to generate approximately 4,000 new jobs in the region’s high-tech sector. The facility, named “Arsenal 1,” will be located on a substantial 500-acre plot near Rickenbacker International Airport, which is about 16 miles southeast of Columbus.

The announcement was made public by state officials on Thursday, detailing that construction of the expansive 5 million-square-foot facility will begin once state and local approvals are obtained. The facility is expected to focus on producing military drones and autonomous air vehicles, with production slated to commence in July 2026.

Ohio’s Governor, Mike DeWine, highlighted the significant impact of this venture, describing it as the largest single initiative for job creation and payroll announced in the state. This development underscores Ohio’s longstanding history and reputation in advanced aviation, which dates back to the Wright brothers and continues to thrive around Wright-Patterson Air Force Base located in Dayton.

State officials, including Lt. Governor Jon Husted and JobsOhio CEO JP Nauseef, pointed to the state’s robust and diverse aerospace workforce, which is well-positioned to support Anduril’s operations. Ohio’s infrastructure includes various job training centers, colleges, and universities dedicated to preparing a new generation of workers for advanced manufacturing roles. The state has implemented a strategy aimed at attracting projects such as Anduril’s to bolster economic growth.

The aerospace sector in Ohio is already home to major industry players, including GE Aerospace and Joby Aviation, which is preparing to manufacture eVTOL aircraft. In light of these developments, Anduril Industries is positioning its new facility as a crucial part of its mission to “Rebuild the Arsenal” of U.S. military equipment and platforms.

The planned Anduril facility is part of a rapidly expanding “silicon corridor” in central Ohio, which also features Intel’s recent $20 billion chip factory and a $3.5 billion battery plant developed by Honda alongside LG Energy Solution. To further support this boom in technological development, Ohio State University is planning to establish a $110 million software innovation center.

As part of its establishment in Ohio, Anduril Industries intends to seek various forms of financial assistance. This includes a job creation tax credit from the Ohio Department of Development and a $70 million investment from the All Ohio Future Fund to assist local governments in preparing sites for development activities related to the facility.

JobsOhio is also expected to grant a considerable amount of funding to assist with the project, the details of which will be disclosed once agreements between parties are finalized. The state is poised to offer talent acquisition services as part of this initiative, reaffirming Ohio’s commitment to fostering its aerospace and manufacturing sectors.

Founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey, Anduril Industries has quickly positioned itself as a leading innovator in defense technology, focusing on advanced military applications that leverage cutting-edge technology. The construction of Arsenal 1 marks a significant investment in the future of defense manufacturing in Ohio, promising to invigorate the local economy and reshape the region’s industrial landscape.

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Additional Resources

• Reuters
• Wikipedia: Aerospace Industry
• Forbes
• Google Search: Anduril Industries Ohio
• CNBC
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Advanced Manufacturing
• The New York Times
• Google News: Anduril Industries