Anduril Industries, a leading U.S. defense contractor based in Costa Mesa, California, has announced plans to construct a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facility called "Arsenal 1" in central Ohio. This ambitious project is expected to create approximately 4,000 jobs and significantly enhance the region's high-tech sector, as revealed by state officials on January 16, 2025.

The facility will cover an impressive 5 million square feet on a 500-acre site near Rickenbacker International Airport, located about 16 miles southeast of Columbus. With an investment nearing $1 billion, Anduril aims to bolster the U.S. military's manufacturing capabilities, focusing on the production of military drones and autonomous air vehicles beginning in July 2026.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine hailed this initiative as the largest single job creation effort in the state’s history, linking it to Ohio’'s rich aviation legacy that began with the Wright brothers. He emphasized Ohio's strategic importance as a hub for aerospace innovation, referring to it as "the brains of the Air Force."

The state's strong aerospace workforce and established educational institutions are well-positioned to support the training of new workers for this advanced manufacturing environment. Lt. Governor Jon Husted noted that Ohio has strategically aligned its economic development efforts to attract transformative projects like Arsenal 1.

This development is part of a broader trend in Ohio's emerging "silicon corridor," which includes significant investments from tech giants like Intel and automotive leaders such as Honda. As Anduril Industries prepares to break ground on this facility, it marks a pivotal moment for both Ohio's economy and U.S. defense capabilities, setting the stage for a new era of technological innovation and job creation in the region.