North Carolina's Defense Momentum Builds
Opportunity for North Carolina (O4NC) believes our state has the bases, the veterans, and the research universities to lead in defense. And yet, according to the North Carolina Critical Technologies Alliance, the state ranks 30th in defense spending as a share of GDP, 25th in defense contracts, and draws only about $200 million a year in defense-funded R&D – a gap state and industry leaders now see as opportunity.
A Bipartisan Caucus Takes Shape
The North Carolina General Assembly has formed a new National Security Technology & Innovation Caucus – bipartisan and bicameral, co-chaired by Senators Bob Brinson and Jay Chaudhuri alongside Representatives Mike Schietzelt and Charles Smith. It's the kind of standing, dedicated legislative attention this issue has long needed.
"North Carolina has a proud history of supporting our nation's military. With over eight military installations, world-class research institutions, and a highly-skilled veterans workforce, North Carolina is well-positioned to lead in defense technology and manufacturing... I applaud the NC Chamber and the North Carolina Critical Technologies Alliance for leading this coalition of partners to help make the First in Flight State also become the First in Defense." – U.S. Senator Ted Budd
Industry Answers the Call
Similarly, the N.C. Chamber and the North Carolina Critical Technologies Alliance launched the First in Defense Coalition, an industry-led effort built around three goals: elevating defense as a key economic opportunity for the state, accelerating innovation and entrepreneurship in critical technologies, and positioning North Carolina to attract and grow defense industry presence.
"North Carolina has the assets to compete, but capturing this opportunity will come down to speed, coordination, and execution." – Jarrett Lane, co-founder, NC Critical Technologies Alliance
Founding coalition members include NC State, Duke, RTI International, NSTXL, the Institute of Digital Engineering, the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, and the Wireless Research Center.
The Investment Is Already Landing
This isn't just strategy on paper – it's already showing up in jobs. Ukrainian drone manufacturer Skyeton is converting a former Black & Decker building near Fayetteville Regional Airport into its first U.S. manufacturing site. There, it will build an ISR drone that can stay aloft for more than a day at a time. Meanwhile, Australian stealth-radar maker Silentium Defence is opening a U.S. headquarters in Apex. It could eventually employ two dozen people. Both are exactly the kind of dual-use, advanced-manufacturing wins North Carolina has been positioning itself to attract.
The State Doubles Down
In July, Governor Josh Stein and the NC Department of Commerce launched NC ALIGN (North Carolina Advisory Leaders for Innovation Growth in National Security), a new statewide advisory council designed to connect defense innovation strategy across the Chamber, the Critical Technologies Alliance, the NC Military Business Center, research universities, and regional economic developers. Initial DoD contributors include the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, Fleet Readiness Center East at Cherry Point, and the U.S. Army Research Office in Research Triangle Park.
It's a sign that defense innovation has become a top-level priority for state government, not just an industry-led effort – just as O4NC advocates for.
The Bottom Line
North Carolina doesn't build economic sectors by accident – we saw it happen in the tech industry, and we're watching the same playbook take shape in defense. O4NC is pleased to see a legislative caucus, an industry coalition, a new statewide advisory council, and real companies choosing North Carolina.
It is the work of many hands: lawmakers, universities, industry, and economic developers all pulling in the same direction. That's exactly the kind of market-driven growth we set out to encourage.
We'll keep pushing to help North Carolina compete to be first.
