A Danish maker of NATO-grade counter-drone systems is about to give a long-empty downtown Oklahoma City warehouse a very 21st-century makeover. MyDefence plans to turn the roughly 100-year-old building into its U.S. offices and a research-and-development hub, a move expected to create at least 20 local jobs with starting average salaries near $105,000 and to boost manufacturing and R&D capacity in the city’s growing defense ecosystem.
According to The Oklahoman, the roughly century-old structure at 11 NW 8 is owned by Automobile Alley developer Steve Mason and will be remodeled to house MyDefence’s operations and offices. The report notes that the renovated footprint will include dedicated space for research and development.
Who MyDefence Is
MyDefence builds counter-unmanned aircraft systems, pairing hardware and software to detect and counter drones for militaries and critical infrastructure. The company has been steadily expanding its U.S. presence in recent years. In a press release, MyDefence described the Oklahoma City office as part of a broader effort to localize research, development and production for American customers.
Jobs And Local Impact
The Oklahoman reports that MyDefence plans to hire at least 20 local employees, with starting annual pay averaging about $105,000, a level that would place many of those roles in the city’s upper income tiers. As outlined by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the company’s earlier announcement cited an approximate $1.2 million investment and a plan for about 48 new U.S. jobs when it first selected Oklahoma City in 2024.
Why The Warehouse
The building sits on the edge of Automobile Alley, a downtown stretch that has been steadily repurposed for tech, arts and light manufacturing, making it a logical spot for a compact R&D and production footprint. Mason’s firm has a long history of rehabbing historic downtown properties to attract creative and technical tenants, as documented on the company’s project pages. Mason Realty Investors has said those conversions are central to its placemaking strategy.
What’s Next
Neither MyDefence nor the developer has released a firm public timeline for completing the renovation, but the company has been ramping up U.S. activity and local production capacity. In a recent update, MyDefence said U.S. assembly and support help ensure speed to the end user, a key reason the firm is investing in an Oklahoma presence.
