Maker of Drone Boats Used in Iran War Will Open New Texas Shipyard

NYT's ^ | July 16, 2026 | Peter Eavis and Nicholas Kulish

[Red6]

After its unmanned vessels recently drew attention in the Iran war, Saronic Technologies, a shipbuilding start-up, announced on Thursday that it would open a new facility in the United States to make both naval and commercial ships.

Saronic’s chief executive, Dino Mavrookas, said the company would break ground this year on an 850-acre shipyard in Brownsville, Texas, and begin building vessels there by 2028.

Last month, the U.S. military used a Saronic drone boat to rescue the two-person crew of a downed Apache attack helicopter off the coast of Oman. This week, three of its vessels were used to attack an Iranian naval installation, which U.S. Central Command said was the first time the military had employed drone boats in a combat operation.

Saronic has sought to emphasize its ability to bring products to market quickly, in contrast to large, established defense contractors. But building a major shipbuilding operation in the United States could prove tough.

[Red6]

10,000 Jobs!

Manufacturing, industrial, tech jobs. Real jobs.

More information:

https://www.twz.com/sea/drone-ship-maker-saronic-announces-new-3b-shipyard-in-texas-capable-of-building-850-foot-vessels

https://gvwire.com/2026/07/16/maker-of-drone-boats-used-in-iran-war-to-open-new-texas-shipyard/

Good news.

[thegagline]

If you want your car stolen, Brownsville is the place to go. Other than that, good for Texas!

[Red6]

Space X set up shop in that area as well.

I think you’re seeing a small “rebirth” of the American manufacturing base under Trump. Some companies that off-shored are returning, at least partially. Some new firms are popping up and deciding to operate out of here rather that produce elsewhere.

These are slow macro level trends.

But things are heading in the right way.

[Texas resident]

Brownsville is about to be a boom town.
A new refinery is to built down there also.

[GenXPolymath]

Brownsville has access to cheap dual national labor who can legally work in the USA and live 10 min across the border for penny’s on the dollar. Taking a $50K a year job in the USA and paying Mexican living expenses with free access to both sides at will. You can live way above your pay grade in Mexico. Every time a baby is dropped in the Texas side a new dual national is created this is exactly why Brownsville and el Paso / Juarez thrive same thing in Tijuana / San Diego in all three cases the Mexican city size dwarfs the American side size the border crossings are hundreds of thousands per day.