Alabama has become a national leader in defense technology because of the skill of our workforce, the strength of our industries, and the patriotism of the people who call this state home. From missile defense systems to advanced aerospace technologies, Alabama workers have repeatedly demonstrated that when America needs something built, we are ready to deliver.
Nowhere is that more evident than in Huntsville.
As CEO of Global K9 Protection Group, I have seen firsthand how deeply connected Alabama’s economy is to our nation’s defense priorities. While my company specializes in security and K9 protection services, we are also part of a much larger defense ecosystem that powers economic growth, innovation, and military readiness across our state.
At the center of that ecosystem are companies like Northrop Grumman.
Northrop Grumman plays a critical role in Alabama’s defense economy, supporting more than 14,000 jobs through its extensive work in missile defense, aerospace systems, and advanced military technologies. Those jobs extend far beyond a single company. They create opportunities for suppliers, contractors, small businesses, skilled trades, and local communities throughout North Alabama and beyond.
The impact is impossible to overstate.
Defense investment strengthens local economies by supporting schools, infrastructure, law enforcement, and the businesses that keep communities thriving. When major defense contractors invest in Alabama, the economic benefits ripple outward — supporting families, creating careers, and ensuring communities remain strong for generations.
But beyond economics, this work serves a larger mission: protecting America.
The systems developed and supported by Northrop Grumman and its partners in Huntsville are central to maintaining our military advantage in an increasingly dangerous world. Missile defense, command-and-control systems, and advanced technologies help ensure that American service members have the tools they need to complete their missions and return home safely.
Companies like Global K9 Protection Group are proud to support that broader mission. Like many Alabama businesses connected to the defense sector, we depend on a strong and stable industrial base that allows companies of all sizes to contribute to America’s security.
That is why the FY2027 defense budget currently under consideration in Washington deserves serious attention and long-term support.
Defense capability cannot simply be switched on and off depending on political disagreements. Major contractors like Northrop Grumman make investments years in advance, while skilled workers spend entire careers developing specialized expertise. Smaller businesses supporting the defense ecosystem make similar commitments in training, hiring, and operational readiness. Once industrial capacity is lost, rebuilding it becomes costly, difficult, and time-consuming.
Too often, defense debates in Washington focus only on top-line spending figures without recognizing what those dollars actually support.
In Alabama, defense spending sustains one of the most advanced aerospace and defense workforces in the country. It strengthens communities that have become indispensable to America’s national security. Most importantly, it supports the technologies and systems that help protect American troops around the world.
That is why Alabama’s federal delegation must continue championing the state’s defense community. Senator Katie Britt has been a strong advocate for Alabama’s military and defense priorities, and it is critical that she continue supporting the defense industrial base that powers jobs and innovation across our state — including backing Donald Trump’s call for increased defense spending to ensure America remains prepared to confront emerging global threats.
The work happening in Huntsville matters — not just to Alabama, but to the future of our national defense.
Congress should continue building on that success by passing a strong defense budget that supports the companies, workers, and communities helping keep America safe.
When our nation invests in defense, Alabama delivers. And because of companies like Northrop Grumman and the network of businesses that support its mission, our state will continue leading the way for decades to come.
Eric Hare is president and CEO of Global K9 Protection Group, a veteran-owned small business headquartered in Opelika, Alabama. He is a retired U.S. Army infantry officer with 25 years of service.
