U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made a visit to Austin as part of his “Arsenal of Freedom Tour,” aimed at enhancing the U.S. defense industrial base and revitalizing manufacturing capabilities within the country.
On September 19, Hegseth addressed hundreds of employees at Saronic, a Texas-based defense firm, during his stop in the city. This visit came just days after the House of Representatives postponed a vote on impeachment articles introduced by Republican Thomas Massie, which accused Hegseth of unauthorized military actions during the conflict in Iran. The vote was halted unexpectedly when Speaker Mike Johnson recessed the House early.
During his visit, Hegseth expressed enthusiasm for the revival of American manufacturing, stating, “American manufacturing is back. American made is back and not a minute too soon.” He toured Saronic’s extensive 420,000-square-foot facility before speaking to its workforce.
Saronic specializes in providing autonomous vessels for maritime operations, and Hegseth praised the scale and investment involved in the company’s projects. “But the point of this tour is to look patriots in the eye and thank you for the work that you’ve done and for the work that you’re doing,” he noted, acknowledging the vital contributions of the team.
Hegseth highlighted Saronic’s role in a recent mission where their technology aided in the rescue of two American pilots after their Apache helicopter was downed by Iran near the Strait of Hormuz. “You did that. Those pilots are alive today because of the incredible innovation under this very roof. You should be, and rightfully are, incredibly proud of that feat,” he remarked.
The Secretary emphasized that Saronic exemplifies the future of American naval power, noting that since 2022, the company has expanded to employ over 1,200 people in Texas and operates out of 540,000 square feet in Austin. “Delivering over 300 combat-proven corsairs, rapidly fielding the 52-foot mirage, and scaling blue water reach with the 180-foot marauder, all built in under a year,” he detailed.
Additionally, he mentioned Saronic’s multi-billion-dollar investment in the Port of Brownsville, referred to as “Port Alpha,” which aims to create one of the world’s most advanced shipyards. “This delivers a $3 billion investment, up to 10,000 high-paying jobs, and over $160 billion in regional impact for Cameron County,” he stated.
Secretary Hegseth also visited the Capital Factory, a hub for startups and innovation, and administered the oath of enlistment to new recruits at the Austin Armed Forces Reserve Center.
Looking ahead, Hegseth is scheduled to speak to the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University, tour a veterans resource center, and attend a football game on September 19.
