COLUMBUS, Ohio — Anduril Industries, a leading U.S. defense contractor, is gearing up to establish a significant advanced manufacturing facility in central Ohio, which is expected to create approximately 4,000 new jobs within the region’s expanding high-tech industry, state officials disclosed on Thursday.
The California-based defense technology firm plans to kick off construction on what it has designated as “Arsenal 1” once the necessary state and local approvals are finalized. The facility will cover an extensive 5 million square feet and is set to be built on a 500-acre site close to Rickenbacker International Airport, situated roughly 16 miles southeast of Columbus in Pickaway County.
According to Christian Brose, the chief strategy officer at Anduril, production of military drones and autonomous aerial vehicles is slated to commence in July 2026.
Ohio’s Republican Governor Mike DeWine remarked that this initiative stands as the most substantial job creation and payroll project to be announced in the state. He emphasized that securing Anduril’s manufacturing plant aligns with Ohio’s rich history in advanced aviation, a legacy that traces back to the pioneering work of the Wright brothers and extends to the current advancements around the Dayton-area Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
“We are an aerospace state,” DeWine stated, calling Ohio “the brains of the Air Force.”
Alongside Lt. Gov. Jon Husted and JobsOhio CEO J.P. Nauseef, DeWine highlighted that Ohio’s robust economic development strategies have fostered a diverse and skilled aerospace workforce. The state has also established a network of job training centers and educational institutions prepared to equip new workers for advanced manufacturing roles, all contributing factors in securing this competitive project.
“Ohio has literally built a strategy around this kind of project, and so we are perfect for them,” Husted noted.
The aviation industry in Ohio is home to major players such as GE Aerospace and features a newly established Joby Aviation manufacturing facility near Dayton, which is set to begin production of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft this year.
Anduril envisions its Ohio facility as critical to its mission of “Rebuilding the Arsenal” of U.S. military capabilities by leveraging advanced software and manufacturing technologies for rapid scaling of production.
This announcement is part of what is emerging as a “silicon corridor” in Ohio, which already includes Intel’s plans for a $20 billion chip factory near Columbus and the collaborative initiative between Honda and LG Energy Solution of South Korea to create a $3.5 billion battery plant in Fayette County, aimed to serve as a hub for North American electric vehicle production. Additionally, Ohio State University revealed intentions in 2023 to build a $110 million software innovation center aligned with these projects.
In the near future, the Anduril initiative will seek a job creation tax credit from the Ohio Department of Development, as well as a $70 million investment from the All Ohio Future Fund, a program initiated by the DeWine administration to assist local governments in site preparation for economic developments. JobsOhio is also poised to offer a significant grant for the project, the specifics of which will be disclosed after agreements are formalized, along with talent acquisition services.
