Defense Secretary to Tour Electric Boat Shipyard in Rhode Island

Hegseth's visit part of 'Arsenal of Freedom Tour' to learn about defense manufacturing

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is scheduled to visit General Dynamics Electric Boat's shipyard in Quonset Point, Rhode Island on Monday, February 9th. The visit is part of Hegseth's 'Arsenal of Freedom Tour' to learn about America's shipyards and defense manufacturing facilities. The visit will not be open to the media due to security concerns.

Why it matters

As the head of the Department of Defense, Hegseth's visit highlights the importance of Rhode Island's defense manufacturing industry, particularly Electric Boat which produces submarines for the U.S. Navy. The tour is part of Hegseth's efforts to understand the capabilities of America's defense industrial base.

The details

During his visit, Hegseth will tour the classified areas of the Electric Boat shipyard. Senator Jack Reed, who was invited to join the tour, declined due to a previous commitment. An Electric Boat spokeswoman stated the visit would not be open to the media for security reasons.

  • Hegseth is scheduled to visit the Electric Boat shipyard on Monday, February 9, 2026.

The players

Pete Hegseth

The current U.S. Secretary of Defense, formally known as the Department of War.

Jack Reed

A U.S. Senator from Rhode Island who was invited to join Hegseth's tour but declined due to a prior commitment.

General Dynamics Electric Boat

A major defense contractor that produces submarines for the U.S. Navy at its shipyard in Quonset Point, Rhode Island.

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What they’re saying

“There is a tour in a classified area.”

— Myra Lee, Electric Boat spokeswoman (providencejournal.com)

“It is a positive thing that Secretary Hegseth is visiting Quonset to see some critical defense manufacturing production firsthand.”

— Jack Reed, U.S. Senator (providencejournal.com)

The takeaway

Hegseth's visit to Electric Boat underscores the importance of Rhode Island's defense manufacturing industry and the Pentagon's efforts to understand the capabilities of America's defense industrial base.