COLUMBUS, Ohio — Anduril Industries, the rapidly growing U.S. defense contractor, is expanding its footprint from Ohio to the United Kingdom and beyond. With contracts spanning the U.S. Army, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), and Singapore’s Air Force, Anduril is positioning itself as the dominant force in autonomous warfare.
The company, specializing in AI-driven unmanned systems, drone warfare, and long-range rocket technology, is constructing a hyperscale manufacturing facility in Ohio and is now planning a similar factory in the UK. The expansion raises questions about the balance between national defense interests and private corporate influence over military technology.
Ohio as the Blueprint for UK Drone Production
Anduril’s planned UK facility mirrors its proposed 5-million-square-foot Arsenal-1 complex in Ohio, which aims to mass-produce autonomous weapons at an unprecedented scale. The UK factory is expected to manufacture land, sea, and air-based autonomous systems, including loitering munitions like the Altius-600 and Altius-700 drones, which the UK has ordered for Ukraine’s war effort.
The MoD has already awarded Anduril a £30 million ($38.76 million US dollars) contract for drones, and the company is positioning itself as a “sovereign supplier” to the UK. This would allow Britain to manufacture its own advanced weapons without requiring U.S. approval for exports.
According to a March 17 report in The i newspaper, a British defense analyst who requested anonymity said, “Anduril wants the UK to be its European manufacturing base, but how much control will Britain actually have over these weapons? If this company decides to shift focus or raise prices, the UK could be left scrambling.”
From Ohio to the Battlefield: Anduril’s Growing Role in Drone Warfare
Beyond global expansion, Anduril has secured key U.S. Army contracts for rocket motors, AI-powered drone swarms, and long-range artillery systems. The company is developing a new 4.75-inch solid rocket motor for precision rocket artillery, which could allow up to 30 guided rockets to fit into a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) pod.
Anduril is also investing $75 million into ALITEC, a new rocket propellant technology designed to increase missile range and efficiency. The company’s loitering munitions, such as the Altius drones, have been tested for integration with HIMARS launchers.
Ethical Concerns Over Autonomous Warfare
The expansion of Anduril’s manufacturing capabilities comes amid growing concerns over AI-driven combat systems. The company, founded by billionaire tech entrepreneur Palmer Luckey, has aggressively pushed for automation in warfare, including partnerships with OpenAI to enhance drone targeting capabilities.
Peter Lee, a drone warfare expert at Portsmouth University, told The i newspaper, “The UK is at risk of outsourcing its military autonomy to a single private company. AI is advancing rapidly, and if we don’t control this industry ourselves, we may end up serving its interests rather than our own.”
Critics argue that AI-powered weapons introduce ethical concerns, particularly regarding autonomous targeting and engagement. Others worry that increasing reliance on a private defense contractor for critical military technology could lead to security vulnerabilities.
What Comes Next?
Anduril’s simultaneous expansion in Ohio, the UK, and Singapore suggests it is building a defense empire rather than acting as a traditional contractor. The company’s push for “sovereign suppliers” indicates a strategy to position itself as a key player in global defense manufacturing, independent of U.S. oversight.
With the UK set to increase its military budget to 2.5% of GDP and the Strategic Defence Review expected to prioritize drone warfare, Anduril stands to benefit from billions in new defense spending. However, its rapid expansion raises concerns over whether national governments will maintain control over their own military technology or cede influence to private corporations.
As Ohio builds one of the largest drone factories in history and the UK prepares to follow suit, the question remains: Who truly benefits from this expansion—the nations funding it, or the private company leading the charge?