Home to some of the world's largest aerospace and defense companies, innovative startups, and next-generation technologies and manufacturing, Arizona is at the forefront of the aerospace & defense industry. With more than 300 days of sunshine annually, a longstanding commitment to supporting the U.S. military and a business-friendly environment, top companies come to Arizona to develop advanced solutions and drive innovation.
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Concentration for Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing
Lightcast, 2025
Largest Production Occupations Job Growth
Lightcast, 2025
Largest Guided Missile & Space Vehicle Manufacturing Employment
Lightcast, 2025
Aerospace Manufacturing
Business Facilities, 2025
Largest A&D Manufacturing Employment
Lightcast, 2025
Concentration for Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing
Lightcast, 2025
Department of Defense
Contracts
in Fiscal Year 2025
Optics industry
The Arizona Commerce Authority, in partnership with the Southwest Mission Acceleration Center (SW MAC) announced the launch the Arizona Office of Defense Innovation (ODI), a new public-private partnership that will expand Arizona's aerospace and defense leadership. The strategic initiative will advance emerging dual-use technology and support the growth of Department of Defense (DoD) missions within the state.
Arizona's been great to work with on the practical stuff like permitting, workforce, getting energy connected to the building -- all the basic things that are harder to do in some states. We're really happy to expand into Arizona.
Chris Power, Founder and CEO
Hadrian
Arizona is proud to provide a platform for innovation powerhouses like Hadrian to grow and thrive. The advanced manufacturer announced plans to establish a 270,000-square-foot large-scale AI-powered manufacturing and software hub, representing a $200 million investment. Arizona’s top talent, commitment to keeping taxes low and regulation light, and strategic geographic location have earned the state a reputation as a leading hub for advanced manufacturing.
PHOENIX, AZ (April 23, 2026) – It’s been an action-packed April for Arizona, marked by the inaugural Arizona Tech Week and, soon after, the state’s first time hosting the Forbes Under 30 Summit in Phoenix. Together, these milestones highlight Arizona’s accelerating momentum and underscore the strength of its growing tech ecosystem. The first-ever Arizona Tech Week, which was powered by the Arizona Commerce Authority, made a record-setting debut, drawing more than 18,000 attendees to 419 events across the state and becoming the largest inaugural tech week ever held in the United States and internationally. 29 communities across Arizona hosted events during the weeklong celebration, highlighting the strength and diversity of Arizona’s innovation economy.
READ MORE about By The Numbers: Arizona Celebrates Largest-Ever Inaugural Tech Week »TEMPE, AZ (April 21, 2026) — Syenta, an Australian semiconductor technology company, today announced the opening of its first U.S. facility in Tempe, Arizona, bringing advanced packaging technology, high-skilled jobs, and global innovation to the state. The expansion was made possible with support from the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), Greater Phoenix Economic Council (GPEC), City of Tempe, and Arizona State University (ASU). Located at ASU Research Park, the new 3,500-square-foot facility will support 200 new highly-skilled roles in semiconductor engineering, systems architecture, and advanced manufacturing, positioning Tempe as a hub for next-generation advanced packaging technologies.
READ MORE about Syenta Announces Facility In Tempe, Bringing Its Advanced Semiconductor Packaging Technology To The U.S. »