Carlisle, Pennsylvania — President Donald Trump addressed a crowd of over 1,500 attendees at the inaugural Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit held at the U.S. Army War College on July 15, 2026.
The summit, spearheaded by Republican Senator David McCormick, focused on reindustrialization and defense innovation. During his speech, Trump highlighted a series of significant investments aimed at bolstering America’s military capabilities.
Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, announced a $24 million investment package to fund Rhoads Industries’ new submarine facility and worker training programs at Philadelphia’s Navy Yard. Dimon emphasized that Pennsylvania serves as the heart of national rebirth through its blend of historical manufacturing strength and modern innovation.
The summit also saw Trump announce an $84 million multiyear contract for Qintel, a Pittsburgh-based cyber intelligence firm, to support U.S. Cyber Command, and a milestone Golden Dome contract for Eos Energy Enterprises in developing long-duration energy storage systems critical for missile defense.
McCormick, who called Pennsylvania the “point of the spear” at the intersection of national security and technological advancement, noted that the event featured more than 600 executives from 500 companies and over $10 billion in new investments supporting approximately 5,000 jobs. He stressed the importance of integrating local manufacturing with advanced technology to secure the nation’s future.
The summit took place at Carlisle Barracks, a historic U.S. military installation dating back to the American Revolution that has evolved into a center for strategic thought and modern defense innovation.
Additional speakers included Governor Josh Shapiro and Thomas Tull, who underscored Pennsylvania’s role in driving national security through reindustrialization efforts.
Trump concluded his remarks by joking with McCormick that he would be present at any future events organized by the senator. “Whatever you are doing next year, I’ll be here,” Trump quipped.
