Michigan’s Role in America’s Defense

• Michigan manufacturing needs to look ten years ahead and prepare for future military needs. 
• Michigan’s physical assets and talent base need better national and international promotion. 
• The defense industry looks at long-term goals and desires stability wherever they locate 

Growing Michigan’s defense industrial base is a national priority with strong bipartisan support across all levels of government. This session, hosted by SME, explored how Michigan can build on its long, proud legacy as the “arsenal of democracy” to help reimagine America’s national security capabilities and lead defense-related technology and workforce development initiatives. 

As a former intelligence officer, Slotkin emphasized the importance of the manufacturing base matching the speed and innovation of China and other potential adversaries. She said China could invent a new technology and implement it into its military in one year, whereas it would take the U.S. about three years.  

Comparing this moment in time to the creation of the assembly line in Detroit, Slotkin challenged the audience to critically think about the next generational leap that will again highlight the importance of Michigan’s manufacturing capabilities.  

Smith used his time to discuss why Saab, an international company headquartered in Sweden and New York City, chose Michigan to open its newest manufacturing and R&D facilities.  

“When we chose Grayling to locate, the assets and workforce that Michigan provides [made it] a no-brainer,” said Smith, “The partnership that was available with Camp Grayling was also a major part of our decision.” 

Slotkin added that Michigan has all these assets, but the state struggles with being too humble.  

“We provide better assets than other states, including Ohio,” said Slotkin, “But they are just better than us at advertising their assets.” 

As the head of the state’s defense office, Gutierrez recognized that Michigan has a nostalgic view of its capabilities in the defense industry and needs to reimagine the future. 

“We are defining a new vision of a reimagined ‘Arsenal of Democracy,’” said Gutierrez, “We cannot wed ourselves to ground vehicles, we need to look at all domains.” 

In redefining Michigan’s image, Gutierrez stated that the state has a palpable energy to unify around this industry. He said he works across the state to understand the industry’s needs while unifying partners to share a standard message in D.C. 

“Companies are interested in our talent,” added Slotkin, “They will pull the trigger when we are all in sync.” 

This 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference session was sponsored by SME.