Defense manufacturer to establish SC operations with $120M Berkeley County facility

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A defense products manufacturer is opening its first South Carolina operation with a facility in Berkeley County.

Leonardo DRS, through its subsidiary, DRS Naval Power Systems, has selected Berkeley County to establish the company’s first South Carolina operation, according to a news release.

The company’s approximate net investment of $120 million is expected to create 58 new jobs.

The company will build a 140,000-square-foot manufacturing and test center at 1588 Bushy Park Road in Goose Creek, the release stated. This facility will expand the company’s capability to integrate its next-generation propulsion system into current and future naval platforms including the U.S. Navy’s priority program, the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine.

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“We are proud to be building the next-generation electric propulsion system for the new Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine,” Leonardo DRS CEO Bill Lynn said in the release. “This new facility in South Carolina expands our capability to support our U.S. Navy customers on this and other critical programs that enhance the nation’s submarine industrial base.”

Leonardo DRS is a provider of defense products and technologies. Its subsidiary, DRS Naval Power Systems, provides naval power and control technology solutions for the U.S. Navy and allied navies, and for commercial applications, according to the release.

“Today’s announcement is a testament to our region’s strong workforce, pro-business climate and world class industrial parks,” Charleston Regional Development Alliance Board Chair Chris Fraser said in the release. “We welcome Leonardo DRS to Berkeley County and look forward to continued collaboration and success.”

Operations are expected to be online by 2026.

The Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits related to the project, the release stated.