LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — East Camden in southwest Arkansas has over the last several years has grown into a hub for military manufacturing operations and now another 30 jobs will be added with a new $33 million facility from a partnership between Raytheon and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
The announcement was made Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Thursday, Oct. 26 along with other officials that the facility will build Tamir missiles that are used in Israel's Iron Dome Weapon System along with the U.S. equivalent, the SkyHunter missile.
This new manufacturing building will add onto Raytheon's already existing facilities at the Highland Industrial Park in the small Arkansas town.
"Today’s announcement further establishes Arkansas as a leader in aerospace and defense, and our critical role in keeping America and key allies like Israel safe," Gov. Sanders said. "I am proud that South Arkansas will serve the U.S. Marine Corps and our allies and play an even bigger role in America’s defense, while bringing more jobs and opportunity to our state."
Sanders along with other state government officials reportedly met with Raytheon executives at the Paris Air Show to secure the deal.
“Thanks to the unwavering support of Governor Huckabee Sanders and the Arkansas Congressional delegation, this new facility allows us to expand our presence in Camden, leverage the established defense community and workforce, and build our capacity to support the growing needs of our global customers and eventually augment Rafael’s direct support for Israeli Defense Forces," said Jeff Shockey, senior vice president of Global Government Relations at Raytheon, which is also known as RTX.