MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Governor Patrick Morrisey today announced that Helsing, a European defense technology company, will invest $50 million to establish advanced defense manufacturing operations in Berkeley County, creating at least 60 high‑skilled jobs with an average salary of $125,000.
The project marks a major milestone for West Virginia’s growing aerospace and defense economy.
“Welcoming a global defense technology innovator with battlefield‑deployed products like Helsing to Berkeley County is another major milestone for West Virginia,” 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.”
Helsing, headquartered in Munich, Germany, selected West Virginia after evaluating sites across the United States. The company’s new Martinsburg facility will manufacture Helsing’s HX‑2 AI‑enabled strike drone, positioning the state as a key player in advanced defense manufacturing.
Dr. Jennifer McArdle, Helsing’s U.S. general manager, said West Virginia stood out for its “skilled workforce, speed to build, manufacturing heritage, and commitment to strengthening the U.S. industrial base.”
The state collaborated with Helsing on workforce training through West Virginia Advance and Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, aligning programs with the company’s manufacturing needs.
“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,” Morrisey said.
The investment adds to more than $12.9 billion in private‑sector commitments announced since October, expected to create 13,700 jobs statewide.
Founded in 2021, Helsing specializes in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and software‑defined defense capabilities designed to strengthen the security of democratic nations and their allies.
