With the start of the 2025 Paris Air Show, the state of Arizona seeks to strengthen its international presence as a major player in the aerospace and defense (A&D) industry. State representatives highlight that, in the last five years, there have been more than 60 expansions in this sector, with investments exceeding $2.8 billion and the creation of more than 12,500 jobs.
Among the companies that have announced recent operations or expansions in Arizona are Gulfstream, MHIRJ Aviation, Ascent Aviation Services, Unical Aviation, and Rocket Lab. The latter recently acquired Tucson-based manufacturer Geost for $275 million. In addition, Virgin Galactic completed construction of its new plant in Mesa to manufacture state-of-the-art spacecraft.
The supply chain in Arizona is made up of more than 1,250 companies in the sector, including firms such as Raytheon, Boeing, Honeywell Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, Bombardier, Blue Origin, and Nammo. According to data from the consulting firm Lightcast, Arizona leads the nation in the concentration of companies dedicated to the manufacture of guided missiles and space vehicles, and ranks third in attractiveness for the aerospace industry in the United States.
Among recent developments, Raytheon won a $1.1 billion contract with the U.S. Navy for the production of missiles, which will increase manufacturing capacity to 2,500 units per year. For its part, Honeywell Aerospace expanded its collaboration with Vertical Aerospace by $1 billion, as part of the development of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
In terms of training, the state launched the Future48 Workforce Accelerator this year, a joint initiative between the state government, educational institutions, and companies in the sector, with the aim of preparing technicians and professionals for the demands of the aerospace job market. In addition, institutions such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott and Pima Community College in Tucson continue to offer specialized programs in aviation, engineering, and aircraft maintenance.
With these projects, Arizona seeks to consolidate its position as a strategic center for investment, technological development, and training in the aerospace and defense sector in the United States.
