MARTINSBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Governor Patrick Morrisey announced Monday that defense technology company Helsing will invest an initial $50 million to establish advanced defense manufacturing operations in Berkeley County, creating at least 60 full-time jobs with an average annual salary of $125,000.
According to the governor’s office, the new Martinsburg facility will manufacture Helsing’s HX-2 AI-enabled strike drone, with the investment further expanding West Virginia’s aerospace and defense manufacturing sector.
“Welcoming a global defense technology innovator with battlefield-deployed products like Helsing to Berkeley County is another major milestone for West Virginia,” Governor Morrisey said. “This investment demonstrates that our state has the skilled workforce, dependable infrastructure and business climate needed to compete for the industries of tomorrow. We’re proud to help strengthen America’s defense while creating outstanding career opportunities for West Virginians.”
Helsing, a European defense technology company specializing in software-defined defense capabilities, selected West Virginia following an evaluation of sites across the United States.
“A strong defense industrial base depends on trusted partnerships and the ability to scale advanced manufacturing where it matters most. West Virginia stood out for its skilled workforce, speed to build, manufacturing heritage, and commitment to strengthening the U.S. industrial base. We’re excited to build in Appalachia and grateful to Gov. Morrisey and the State of West Virginia for their support,” Helsing’s U.S. General Manager, Dr. Jennifer McArdle said.
State officials said West Virginia worked with the company during the site selection process by developing customized workforce training, logistics support and energy resources to meet Helsing’s operational needs. Through West Virginia Advance and Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, the state also created a specialized workforce training program tailored to the company’s manufacturing operations.
“West Virginia has a long history of supporting our nation’s defense, and this investment carries that tradition into the future,” Governor Morrisey said. “By bringing advanced defense manufacturing to the Eastern Panhandle, we’re creating high-skilled careers that allow West Virginians to help build the next generation of technology right here at home.”
According to the governor’s office, the investment is expected to further position West Virginia as a hub for aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, robotics and autonomous technologies.
The Morrisey administration said it has announced more than $12.9 billion in private-sector investments since October, projects expected to create more than 13,700 jobs across the state.
Founded in 2021 and headquartered in Munich, Germany, Helsing specializes in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, software-defined defense capabilities, advanced sensors and scalable manufacturing.
