BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND — President Donald Trump showed a $3.7 billion Anduril project to build submarine components in Maryland. The facility aims to create 3,100 direct jobs while producing parts for Virginia-class submarines.

The facility will be located at the former Bethlehem Steel site in Sparrows Point, Maryland. This location previously housed a steel mill that closed in 2012. The new shipyard will cover 2 million square feet and produce components for Virginia-class attack submarines, including torpedo tubes, sterns, and bow sections. Anduril plans to initially produce smaller submarine components such as torpedo tubes before expanding to larger sections like bows and sterns, indicating a phased approach to the project. Primary source: governor.maryland.gov

The U.S. Navy currently has 26 Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines. The service expects to add two more Virginia-class submarines to its fleet in the spring. Anduril Industries received a $2.9 billion contract from the U.S. Navy for the submarine component project. Primary source: governor.maryland.gov

The company is an American military technology firm specializing in the development of advanced autonomous systems, including unmanned aerial systems and counter-UAS systems. Anduril Industries has a valuation that has been reported in recent assessments.

The project is expected to create 3,100 direct jobs and support several thousand additional indirect jobs. In total, the initiative is expected to support 14,000 jobs. The project is expected to generate over $2 billion in annual economic output and $312 million in wages, providing a measurable economic impact for Maryland. 'The $3.7 billion covers the cost of standing up the facility, building the workforce, filling it with modern technology and other capabilities required to do the work that we will be tasked with,' Anduril President and Chief Strategy Officer Chris Brose said. Primary source: governor.maryland.gov

The state of Maryland and Baltimore County will match up to 13% of the anticipated investment through existing economic incentive programs and new appropriations. The state of Maryland will also support the construction of a workforce training facility near Tradepoint Atlantic. Governor Wes Moore has a history of advocating for economic development in Maryland, including supporting the redevelopment of the Sparrows Point site as a logistics and industrial hub prior to Anduril's announcement. 'We thank Anduril for choosing Maryland, and we're ready to build the future of the aerospace and defense economy together,' Wes Moore said. Primary source: governor.maryland.gov

Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier was thanked by Anduril CEO Brian Schimpf for helping make the announcement possible. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was also thanked by Schimpf for helping make the announcement possible. Marlon Humphrey, a cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens, was invited to the event. Schimpf said: '"Gov. Moore, County Executive Klausmeier, the federal congressional delegation, as well as state and local leaders throughout Maryland have all moved with urgency to help bring industrial investment at this scale to Baltimore County."' 'They’ve also worked closely with us across the many requirements necessary to make this investment come to fruition,' he said.

Governor Wes Moore was not present at the event. Moore stated he was blocked from speaking at the event. A White House official stated that Moore had been invited to attend the event as a guest. 'It’s unfortunate that the Governor is now making a multi-billion dollar announcement about himself by throwing a tantrum over a federal initiative that will bring sorely needed jobs back to his state thanks to President Trump,' the White House official said.

The Maryland Transit Administration issued a service advisory for the Route 411T Commuter Bus due to the president's visit.

Timeline

The Bethlehem Steel mill at Sparrows Point closed in 2012. On October 6, Brian Schimpf stated that the facility will make Baltimore County a critical part of America's submarine industrial base, adding the production capacity that the Navy needs to meet its Virginia-class requirements. Also on October 6, Brose said the $3.7 billion covers the cost of standing up the facility, building the workforce, filling it with modern technology and other capabilities required to do the work that we will be tasked with.

What's New

Later reporting included statements from Brian Schimpf that this facility will make Baltimore County a critical part of America's submarine industrial base, adding the production capacity that the Navy needs to meet its Virginia-class requirements. Additional coverage included a White House official saying it’s unfortunate that the Governor is now making a multi-billion dollar announcement about himself by throwing a tantrum over a federal initiative that will bring sorely needed jobs back to his state thanks to President Trump. He also stated that with Arsenal-2, Anduril will return large-scale shipbuilding to a site that can once again define American naval power.

Further details emerged regarding Governor Wes Moore's response, including his statement that if the president of the United States wants to bring the circus in town and tell me that I’m not allowed to speak, despite the fact we were the ones that helped bring the deal, then I will let the circus be conducted while I go back to the work of the people of Maryland. Moore also stated that with this facility, thousands of Marylanders will have new pathways to work, wages, and wealth through advanced training and high-skilled maritime manufacturing jobs.

Why It Matters

The $3.7 billion investment represents an expansion of the domestic submarine industrial base, with the U.S. government committing $2.9 billion through product purchases. The project aims to address the U.S. Navy's need for increased production capacity for its Virginia-class submarines, of which it currently operates 26 with two more expected in the spring. The facility is projected to create 3,100 direct jobs and support a total of 14,000 jobs, generating over $2 billion in annual economic output and $312 million in wages for Maryland.

The public dispute between President Trump and Governor Wes Moore over speaking privileges reflects tensions in federal-state collaboration on major defense projects. Moore, who is seeking reelection, claimed he was blocked from speaking despite helping bring the deal to Maryland, while White House officials characterized his absence as a tantrum over a federal initiative. The state and county have committed to matching up to 13% of the investment, demonstrating a shared financial stake in the project's success at the former Bethlehem Steel site.

Additional Fact

A hearing for Kilmar Ábrego Garcia was canceled on Tuesday.