COLUMBUS, Ohio — Anduril Industries, a U.S. defense contractor, is poised to establish a large-scale advanced manufacturing facility in central Ohio, which is expected to generate around 4,000 jobs in the region’s growing high-tech industry, as revealed by state officials on Thursday.
The defense technology firm, based in Costa Mesa, California, intends to start building the facility, dubbed “Arsenal 1,” once necessary approvals from state and local authorities are obtained. Covering an area of 5 million square feet and situated on a 500-acre parcel near Rickenbacker International Airport in rural Pickaway County—approximately 16 miles southeast of Columbus—the facility aims to become a hub for the production of military drones and autonomous aerial vehicles, with operations slated to commence in July 2026, according to Christian Brose, Anduril’s chief strategy officer.
Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine noted that this initiative represents the largest single job creation and payroll project the state has ever announced. He expressed that securing Anduril’s manufacturing plant continues Ohio’s legacy in advanced aviation, a history that traces back to the Wright brothers, who were born in the state, and has developed significantly around the Dayton-area Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
DeWine emphasized Ohio’s identity as “an aerospace state,” asserting that it has earned the title of “the brains of the Air Force.” He, along with Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and JobsOhio CEO J.P. Nauseef, explained that through focused economic development strategies, the state has cultivated a robust and diverse aerospace workforce. They highlighted the presence of job training centers, colleges, and universities ready to equip new workers in advanced manufacturing, which played a crucial role in securing this competitive deal.
“Ohio has literally built a strategy around this kind of project, and so we are perfect for them,” Husted remarked.
Ohio’s aerospace industry is notable for housing the global headquarters of GE Aerospace, alongside a new Joby Aviation manufacturing facility near Dayton, which is preparing to start production on electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft this year.
Anduril sees the Ohio facility as essential for its mission to “Rebuild the Arsenal” of U.S. military weaponry and systems by “hyperscaling” manufacturing through advanced software and production techniques.
This recent development adds to what has been termed a “silicon corridor” in Ohio, which also includes Intel’s ambitious plans for a $20 billion chip factory located just east of Columbus, and a joint venture between Honda and LG Energy Solution from South Korea that is erecting a $3.5 billion battery production plant in nearby Fayette County, envisioned as an electric vehicle hub for North America. Additionally, Ohio State University has outlined plans in 2023 to create a $110 million software innovation center to enhance these initiatives.
In forthcoming state meetings, Anduril will seek a job creation tax credit from the Ohio Department of Development, along with a $70 million investment from the All Ohio Future Fund, a program established by the DeWine administration and lawmakers to assist local leaders in preparing sites for economic development pursuits. Furthermore, JobsOhio is expected to provide a significant grant to support the project, with the exact figure revealed once final agreements are established, in addition to offering talent acquisition services.
