On Thursday morning, the Pine Bluff Arsenal welcomed Army Secretary Daniel P. Driscoll in what was described as a “problem-solving if needed” visit that will ultimately ensure that the construction of Hanwha Defense USA’s $1.3 billion, 1,065-acre munitions campus is a success.
It’s expected to employ about 200.
In addition to Driscoll, who was visiting for the first time, guests included senior Army leaders, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, representatives from the state’s congressional delegation, Arkansas Economic Development Commission officials, and Hanwha Defense USA, according to a press release from the Pine Bluff Arsenal.
“The visit centered on ongoing discussions about modernization and the Army’s long-term strategic vision for strengthening the Organic Industrial Base,” the Arsenal stated.
Brig. Gen. Daniel J. Duncan, Commanding General of the Army Joint Munitions Command, noted that modernization is essential to ensuring the Army can meet future readiness requirements, the press release continued.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“Driscoll underscored the value of investing in facilities like Pine Bluff Arsenal and the workforce that sustains them, noting that such investments are critical to ensuring the Army can scale rapidly when needed,” according to the statement.
Arsenal Commander Col. Matthew C. Mason said discussions with state and industry partners will continue.
The “Pine Bluff Arsenal remains committed to supporting the Army’s mission and the American workforce. While no final decisions have been announced, we appreciate the continued collaboration among federal, state, and industry partners,” Mason said.
White Hall Mayor Noel Foster, who attended the meeting, said: “This is an important and pivotal time in the history of the Pine Bluff Arsenal.”
Foster said he wanted “to compliment the Secretary of the Army, Daniel P. Driscoll, who came down for a problem-solving visit, and to ultimately ensure that the munitions facility is a success.”
Foster is optimistic about the Arsenal’s future going forward.
“Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is committed to helping the Secretary of the Army, the Pine Bluff Arsenal, and the community,” he said.
Lt. Gen. Gavin A. Lawrence, Deputy Commanding General for the Army Materiel Command, highlighted the installation’s legacy and future significance.
“Pine Bluff Arsenal has a rich and proud history of supporting our nation’s Warfighters dating back to 1941. I want to thank all the leadership and our industry partners for being here. We are absolutely at an inflection point of the future here,” Lawrence said.
After a quick visit in late January, the Army announced that it had granted an “enhanced use lease” to Hanwha Defense USA, allowing it to build a $1.3 billion, 1,065-acre Munitions Campus on the Arsenal.
Larry E. Wright, a consulting engineer for the city of White Hall and an advisor to the White Hall Military Affairs Advisory Committee, said, site work for the campus is underway, including geotechnical and soil analysis, and the planned modernization and rebuild of the Plainview Gate has been fast-tracked, with construction possibly starting within the next six months.
It will provide space for several facilities to support the production, assembly, and storage of propellants, energetics, and advanced ammunition systems, according to local sources.
These are said to improve the performance of the 155mm howitzer and other weapons.