Malta, New York – October 24, 2026 -- The U.S. Department of Defense has partnered with GLOBALFOUNDRIES to secure a supply of semiconductors manufactured at Fab 8 in Malta, New York, a facility the chipmaker has reportedly backed with more than $13 billion in investment.
GLOBALFOUNDRIES holds ITAR and EAR compliance at its most advanced fab
In May 2020, GLOBALFOUNDRIES announced export control security measures bringing it into compliance with both the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The source describes it as the most advanced ITAR foundry in the United States. The certification allows the company to manufacture chips for sensitive military and aerospace applications.
Pentagon trusted-facility talks for Fab 8 are under way
GLOBALFOUNDRIES is in talks with the DoD to qualify Fab 8 as a trusted facility. It already holds that status for Fab 9 in Burlington, Vermont, and Fab 10 in East Fishkill, New York. The Vermont site was the first facility in the nation to achieve it, in 2005. Until Fab 8 qualifies, its ITAR certification covers military and aerospace production.
DoD calls the deal a precursor to CHIPS for America Act efforts
The DoD said the agreement is "just one step" toward sustaining U.S. microelectronics manufacturing capability. It described the deal as a precursor to major efforts contemplated under the recently passed CHIPS for America Act.
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) championed the act and tied his support to expanding GLOBALFOUNDRIES' role as the Pentagon's primary secure foundry. Two of the company's U.S. sites are in New York state, and Fab 8 alone employs roughly 3,000 people.
Chip shortage raises the stakes for domestic supply
The Futurum Research analyst behind the source notes that the pandemic drove a surge in demand for consumer devices, while the trade war with China strained chip production. Efforts to subsidize a domestic chip industry and cut reliance on overseas manufacturers have accelerated as a result. The analyst expects Fab 8 to win trusted facility status relatively soon.