Governor Patrick Morrisey announced that Helsing will invest an initial $50 million to establish advanced defense manufacturing operations in Berkeley County. (Brad McElhinny/MetroNews)
The advanced defense manufacturer Helsingannounced it will invest an initial $50 million to set up operations in Berkeley County
Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced the development at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College this morning
“Today we’re announcing something that we believe will help continue to change the direct the trajectory of our state. Very very positive. Helsing, one of the world’s fastest growing defense technology companies, has chosen West Virginia for its first advanced manufacturing operation in the United States.”
Helsing is a leading European defense technology company headquartered in Munich, Germany, that specializes in artificial intelligence and autonomous military systems. Founded in 2021, it develops software and hardware designed to protect democracies by providing real-time battlefield intelligence
The West Virginia announcement took place in front of a model drone suspended from the ceiling
The company’s new facility in Martinsburg will initially manufacture Helsing’s HX-2 AI-enabled strike drone, establishing West Virginia as a key location for advanced defense manufacturing in the United States
Jennifer McArdle, the U.S. General Manager of Helsing Inc., said the company’s mission is to develop AI and software-defined capabilities that protect democracies. She said modern deterrence isn’t dependent just on advanced technologies; it’s dependent on the industrial
“To put it simply, and I think we all know this: factories win wars, and that’s exactly what we want to do in Berkeley County. We’re going to be developing our HX-2 strike drone that you see right there. You definitely don’t want to mess with this thing
She said 2,000 such drones a month would be produced in Berkeley County. The company says the West Virginia operation will result in at least 60 high-skilled, full-time jobs with an average salary of $125,000
Helsing’s investment further accelerates West Virginia’s emergence as a center for aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, robotics and autonomous technologies. Located within a day’s drive of nearly half of the U.S. population, West Virginia offers direct access to interstate highways, rail networks and East Coast ports, positioning manufacturers for long-term success
“When we looked across the U.S. and we were trying to decide where to be, West Virginia constantly rose to the top. And that’s not just because of your strategic location from a logistic standpoint or your great infrastructure. It was very much because of your people and the speed at which your people want to move,” McArdle said
State officials worked closely with Helsing throughout the site selection process with customized workforce training, strategic East Coast logistics and dependable baseload energy to meet the company’s operational requirements
Through West Virginia Advance and Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, the state also developed a specialized workforce training program tailored to Helsing’s manufacturing needs
Jennifer Smith, the Berkeley County economic development director, described the significant impact of advanced manufacturing on the local economy, highlighting Blue Ridge Community and Technical College’s role as a partner
“This this is huge for advanced manufacturing in Berkeley County,” she said
She added, “momentum has, I think, initially started when Procter and Gamble located here. Procter and Gamble has one of the most advanced manufacturing facilities in Berkeley County, and Blue Ridge has been a huge part of that,” she said
“And that has been a great asset for other companies that are looking. Once they take a tour of Blue Ridge, the advanced manufacturing and the megatronics, all the programs that they have here locally is a huge asset and helps the companies locate here.”
The governor said such economicdevelopmentannouncements aren’t emphasized enough
“It doesn’t get enough attention from the press. People like to focus on the shiny object once or twice, but you know, a lot of these announcements they add up,” he said
But much of what the governor had to say was optimistic and relatively lighthearted
He was handed a miniature drone to take home and seemed to be joking when he said, “You know I think we’re going to put this right in the office when the legislators come in.”
