(Munich) – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced the Michigan Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation Strategic Plan 2026-2031 in Germany. She made the announcement at the Munich Security Conference to reclaim and modernize the state’s historic role as the “Arsenal of Democracy.” Whitmer says the plan is a living document that will evolve as leadership changes, federal priorities shift, and new opportunities become available.
ODAI was launched in 2024 in the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
The strategic plan is organized around three integrated lines of effort:
- Fostering Business Growth within Defense and Aerospace – Strengthening Michigan’s pipeline of high-impact projects, supporting dual-use technologies, expanding attraction, retention, and expansion efforts, and elevating Michigan’s profile through the national “Reimagine the Arsenal of Democracy” campaign.
- Amplifying Michigan’s Unique Advantages – Leveraging the state’s skilled workforce, world-class universities, robust manufacturing base, and defense assets to convert opportunity into impact, while preparing suppliers and workers to meet national defense needs.
- Setting Conditions to Advance Innovation – Accelerating applied research, expanding testing and evaluation capabilities, attracting innovation-driven enterprises, and ensuring Michigan remains a leader in next-generation defense and aerospace technologies.
The plan also emphasizes close coordination with the Michigan National Guard and the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, ensuring the state’s defense assets and service members remain integral to innovation and readiness.
“Reimagining the Arsenal of Democracy for the 21st century means ensuring Michigan’s defense assets, service members and industry remain central to innovation and operational readiness,” said U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, adjutant general and director of the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Michigan has a proven history of delivering decisive capability to the nation and that mission continues today through advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies and a growing defense and aerospace industrial base. By supporting, protecting and growing this ecosystem, we strengthen the Joint Force, accelerate innovation at speed and scale and ensure Michigan remains a strategic contributor to national defense and allied security well into the future.”
This strategic plan builds on Michigan’s continuing momentum in the defense and aerospace sector. Earlier this month, the Department of Defense designated Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) as a national range for deep uncrewed aerial systems testing. The Army and National Guard Bureau selected NADWC as its designated national range for deep uncrewed aerial systems training due to a unique combination of capabilities, permissive drone testing policies, and proximity to tech innovation industry leaders in Michigan. In April 2025, Gov. Whitmer secured a game-changing new F-15EX fighter mission at Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County to grow Michigan’s economy, bring new aircraft, keep expert talent in the state, and support military and civilian jobs at the base.
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