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Governor Patrick Morrisey announced that Helsing will invest an initial $50 million to establish advanced defense manufacturing operations in Berkeley County.
Governor Patrick Morrisey announced that Helsing, a leading European defense technology company, will invest an initial $50 million to establish its first U.S. advanced manufacturing operation in Berkeley County, West Virginia. Helsing, headquartered in Munich, Germany, specializes in artificial intelligence and autonomous military systems designed to provide real-time battlefield intelligence and protect democracies.
The new facility in Martinsburg will initially focus on manufacturing Helsing's combat-proven HX-2 AI-enabled strike drone. The company plans to produce 2,000 such drones monthly in Berkeley County. This operation is projected to create at least 60 high-skilled, full-time jobs for West Virginia residents, with an attractive average annual salary of $125,000.
West Virginia was selected for this significant investment due to its strategic location, offering direct access to interstate highways, rail networks, and East Coast ports, positioning manufacturers for long-term success. The state's appeal also stems from its proactive workforce and the speed at which state officials worked with Helsing, providing customized workforce training, strategic logistics, and dependable baseload energy to meet the company's operational requirements.
The investment by Helsing will significantly boost Berkeley County's advanced manufacturing sector. Jennifer Smith, the Berkeley County economic development director, highlighted the crucial role of Blue Ridge Community and Technical College. The college, through programs like West Virginia Advance, developed a specialized workforce training program tailored to Helsing's manufacturing needs, building on its successful partnerships with other advanced manufacturers like Procter & Gamble.
Governor Morrisey emphasized that the growing number of economic development announcements, though individually sometimes overlooked, collectively contribute to a positive and significant shift in the state's trajectory. He noted that these continued investments further establish West Virginia as a burgeoning center for aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, robotics, and autonomous technologies.