The NC Chamber and the North Carolina Critical Technologies Alliance announced today the launch of the First in Defense Coalition, an industry-led effort to position North Carolina as a top state for defense manufacturing and innovation.

At a time when the United States is accelerating military modernization, reshoring critical supply chains, and expanding the defense industrial base, the First in Defense Coalition is focused on ensuring North Carolina captures defense manufacturing and innovation investment.

“North Carolina has built a track record of leading in industries that define the future,” said NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido. “Our military presence, veteran workforce, world-class universities and community colleges, and advanced manufacturing base position us to compete at the highest level. The First in Defense Coalition aims to translate those assets into defense manufacturing wins for North Carolina.”

The coalition is focused on three core priorities: elevating defense as a key economic opportunity for North Carolina, accelerating entrepreneurship and innovation in critical technologies, and positioning the state to attract and grow defense companies from across the United States and key global markets.

The First in Defense Coalition was announced today at an event hosted in Raleigh by the NC Chamber. The program featured perspectives from industry leaders and federal partners, as well as legislative leaders, including chairs of the new bipartisan National Security Technology and Innovation Caucus. Speakers included Mike Halsey of Chemring Group, Captain (Ret.) Carrie Hasbrouck of the Maritime Industrial Base, and Rebecca Hodson of the United States Department of the Army, along with North Carolina Senators Bob Brinson and Jay Chaudhuri and Representatives Mike Schietzelt and Charles Smith.

“This is an important moment for North Carolina and for the country,” said Jarrett Lane, co-founder of the North Carolina Critical Technologies Alliance. “The federal government is making extraordinary investments into revitalizing and expanding the industrial base, as well as ensuring American leadership in technologies like AI and quantum. Venture investment into early-stage defense companies hit a record $49B last year. The states that help defense and dual-use companies grow, scale, and innovate can create thousands of high-quality jobs. North Carolina has the assets to compete, but capturing this opportunity will come down to speed, coordination, and execution.”

The coalition will convene members of North Carolina’s defense ecosystem and federal leaders in Washington, D.C. this summer. International engagement is also a priority, with a presence planned at the Eurosatory exhibition in Paris this June.

Founding members of the coalition include North Carolina State University, NSTXL, Duke University, RTI International, the Institute of Digital Engineering, the Research Triangle Regional Partnership, and the Wireless Research Center.

Organizations interested in joining the First in Defense Coalition can visit nccriticaltech.org/first-in-defense to learn more.