Anduril Industries, a defense technology company, is building a massive manufacturing facility near Columbus. The project, called Arsenal 1, will create 4,000 jobs and further establish Ohio as a hub for aerospace and defense manufacturing.
What’s Happening?
Anduril, based in Costa Mesa, California, is constructing a 5 million-square-foot facility on a 500-acre site near Rickenbacker International Airport in Pickaway County, about 16 miles southeast of Columbus. Once approvals are secured, construction will begin, with production of military drones and autonomous air vehicles expected to start by July 2026.
Why Ohio?
Governor Mike DeWine called this the largest job creation project in Ohio’s history. He highlighted the state’s aviation legacy, from the Wright brothers to modern aerospace hubs like Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
“We are an aerospace state,” DeWine said. “Ohio is the brains of the Air Force.”
Ohio’s strong workforce, job training programs, and universities made it an ideal location. State officials have been actively positioning Ohio to attract high-tech industries like this.
The Growing ‘Silicon Corridor’
Anduril’s facility joins a wave of tech investments in the region. Intel is building a $20 billion semiconductor plant near Columbus, while Honda and LG Energy Solution are investing $3.5 billion in an electric vehicle battery factory in Fayette County. Ohio State University is also investing $110 million in a software innovation center.
What’s Driving This Growth?
The project will receive a job creation tax credit from the Ohio Department of Development and a $70 million investment from the All Ohio Future Fund. JobsOhio will also provide financial incentives and talent recruitment support.
What This Means
For Anduril, this facility is a key step in modernizing U.S. defense manufacturing. For Ohio, it strengthens its position as a leader in aerospace and advanced manufacturing, bringing jobs and innovation to the state.