Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to announce a major economic development initiative with Austin-based maritime defense company Saronic Technologies as the autonomous vessel manufacturer looks to expand its production capacity.
Saronic, which builds unmanned surface vessels for military and commercial use, announced in late March that it had raised $1.75 billion in new capital to accelerate the expansion of its autonomous ship manufacturing operations.
The company's 24-foot Corsair vessel recently was used by the U.S. Navy in the rescue of the crew of a downed Apache helicopter in the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the growing role of autonomous maritime systems in military operations.
Chief Executive Officer Dino Mavrookas has said the company is now pursuing a much larger manufacturing footprint as it scales production.
While state officials had not released details of Abbott's announcement, the Port of Brownsville has emerged as the leading candidate for a new shipbuilding facility. Reports indicate state and local officials have assembled an incentive package worth approximately $450 million to help secure the project.
If finalized, the expansion would represent one of the largest economic development projects in Texas' growing defense manufacturing sector, bringing new investment and jobs while strengthening the state's role in the production of next-generation military technology.
