TRENTON, N.J. — Assemblywoman Aura Dunn is pressing New Jersey’s new Office of Strategic Defense Investment to work closely with federal, state and local leaders to protect Picatinny Arsenal, the U.S. military’s sole hub for advancing and fielding weapons and ammunition.
“New Jersey’s defense ecosystem is strongest when Trenton, Washington, and our installations move in lockstep,” Dunn (R-Morris) said. “My focus now is ensuring this new office doesn’t create more bureaucracy, but instead does the hard, on-the-ground work that keeps New Jersey, and Picatinny Arsenal, the Army’s Munitions Center of Excellence, at the forefront of America’s military readiness. It must secure missions, strengthen our supply chain, and win the federal resources our capabilities warrant.”
Gov. Phil Murphy announced earlier this week that the office, housed within the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, will support the state’s defense sector, including military installations and contractors.
“My immediate next step is to formally request an onsite briefing at Picatinny with the new office, DMAVA, and our federal partners alongside local suppliers, county officials, and municipal leaders. We need clear, measurable goals: protect jobs, secure missions, win more federal contracts, and build a stronger workforce pipeline,” Dunn said. “I have also asked the Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to visit Picatinny and reconsider restructuring proposals that would weaken this critical installation.”
The Army has proposed breaking up a program at Picatinny that is responsible for developing, procuring and fielding military weapons and ammunition, potentially transferring 1,000 jobs to other installations nationwide.
Dunn, a member of the New Jersey Military Skills Council, said recent international developments underscore the need to strengthen Picatinny.
“This week’s display of unity by Russia, North Korea, and China in Beijing was a stark reminder that America’s adversaries are advancing their weapons and alliances. In the face of those threats, it is more critical than ever to protect and strengthen Picatinny, America’s premier weapons and munitions development hub so our warfighters keep their qualitative edge,” she said.
Picatinny supports more than 6,000 military, civilian and private-sector employees and is Morris County’s third-largest employer. It is responsible for research, development, acquisition and lifecycle management of advanced weapons and ammunition, with small and mid-sized New Jersey firms bolstering its supply chain.
“New Jersey can and should lead in defense innovation,” Dunn said. “Keep Picatinny at the center, empower our workforce, and turn this office announcement into tangible results for America’s national security and New Jersey families.”
