South Dakota has always answered the nation's call to serve. From generations of servicemembers who have worn our nation's uniform to the strategic importance of Ellsworth Air Force Base, our state has earned a reputation as a trusted partner in America's national defense. That legacy is something every South Dakotan can take pride in.
Today, South Dakota has an opportunity to build on that legacy in a new way, not only by supporting America's military, but by becoming one of the nation's leading centers for defense innovation and advanced manufacturing. That opportunity is too important to ignore.
The nature of national defense is changing rapidly. America's military advantage will increasingly depend not only on aircraft, ships, and armored vehicles, but also on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems, advanced manufacturing, resilient supply chains, and commercial innovation. The defense industrial base that supports our warfighters is evolving, and states that prepare today will help shape its future.
South Dakota is remarkably well positioned to be one of those states. The recently announced Defense & National Security Initiative recognizes that strengthening the state’s role in national defense is about far more than supporting military installations. It is also about expanding advanced manufacturing, attracting defense technology companies, strengthening cybersecurity, developing talent, and creating high-quality careers for South Dakotans. That initiative provides an important foundation upon which our state can continue to build.
Our military assets alone provide a compelling starting point. The arrival of the B-21 Raider positions Ellsworth Air Force Base at the center of one of America's most significant defense modernization efforts for decades to come. Every next-generation military platform creates opportunities that extend far beyond the installation itself; for suppliers, developers, technology firms, manufacturers, logistics providers, researchers, and innovators across the state.
South Dakota's contribution, however, extends well beyond Ellsworth. The 114th Fighter Wing at Joe Foss Field has earned a national reputation for providing combat-ready airpower while serving as a cornerstone of our Air National Guard. Alongside one of the nation's top-performing Army National Guard organizations, these military institutions contribute not only to America's security, but also to the leadership, technical expertise, and culture of service that strengthen communities throughout South Dakota.
These military missions are more than installations on a map. They are anchors for a growing defense innovation ecosystem capable of attracting investment, expanding research, supporting entrepreneurs, and creating high-quality careers for future generations.
Our educational institutions play a pivotal role. Dakota State University's Applied Research Corporation (DARC) is establishing South Dakota as a national leader in applied cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital innovation supporting government and industry. South Dakota School of Mines and South Dakota State University continue to advance engineering, precision systems, and applied research, while the University of South Dakota educates future leaders in business, law, and other professions essential to a modern defense economy.
Equally important, South Dakota's nationally recognized technical colleges are producing the highly skilled tradespeople who form the backbone of advanced manufacturing. Precision machining, welding, mechatronics, robotics, industrial maintenance, electronics, and advanced manufacturing technologies are exactly the skills America's defense industrial base require.
South Dakota has never been defined by the size of its population, but by the size of its contribution. From agriculture and banking to healthcare, manufacturing, and military service, our state has consistently demonstrated that it can have a national impact. Defense innovation represents the next chapter in that story. Realizing this opportunity will require collaboration.
Military leaders, universities, technical colleges, economic development organizations, private industry, entrepreneurs, investors, state government, and local communities all have important roles to play. The goal should include but be larger than recruiting individual companies. It should be about creating an ecosystem where innovation, workforce development, manufacturing, research, and investment work together to support America's warfighters while creating lasting economic opportunity for South Dakota.
As South Dakota strengthens its own defense innovation ecosystem, opportunities to collaborate more closely with neighboring states will naturally emerge. Regional partnerships can amplify South Dakota's leadership while ensuring our state remains at the center of future conversations about national security, defense manufacturing, and innovation. But first, we must continue building the strongest possible foundation here at home.
South Dakota has always led through service. Today, we have an opportunity to lead through innovation as well. The question is no longer whether South Dakota has a role to play in America's defense industrial base. The question is whether we are willing to lead.
