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Maker of Drone Boats Used in Iran War Will Open New Texas Shipyard
The New York Times • • business
Key Points:
- Saronic Technologies, a shipbuilding start-up known for its unmanned vessels, announced plans to open a new 850-acre shipyard in Brownsville, Texas, with construction starting this year and vessel production beginning by 2028.
- The company’s drone boats recently gained attention after being used by the U.S. military to rescue a helicopter crew off Oman and in a combat operation against an Iranian naval installation.
- Saronic aims to differentiate itself by quickly bringing products to market compared to large defense contractors, but establishing a major shipbuilding presence in the U.S. faces significant challenges.
- The American commercial shipbuilding industry has declined substantially, with most large ships now built in China, Japan, and South Korea, and efforts to revive the industry through subsidies and government support have seen limited progress.
