The Imperial Armory Complex, alternatively known as the Lothal Imperial Factory, was a factory integrated into the planet of Lothal's Imperial Complex. This facility was responsible for manufacturing a diverse range of vehicles for the Imperial Military, encompassing speeder bikes, starfighters, and walkers. The TIE/d "Defender" Multi-Role Starfighter began its manufacturing run at this factory, leading the Empire to view it as their most vital installation in that sector. Phoenix Cell was in the process of preparing an attack on the Imperial Armory Complex with the aim of stopping the production of the new TIE/Ds; however, this plan was thwarted when Grand Admiral Thrawn discovered their intentions and initiated an assault on their base located on Atollon.
Located within Lothal's Imperial Complex, the Imperial Armory Complex—also referred to as the Lothal Imperial Factory—employed local citizens as laborers to produce a variety of vehicles for the Imperial Military. These vehicles included 614-AvA speeder bikes, AT-ATs, AT-DP walkers, and TIE fighters. Furthermore, it possessed hangars that sheltered the various vehicles constructed at the facility, with landing platforms situated outside.
By the year 2 BBY, the Imperial Armory Complex contained a specialized area known as Section A2. This section held multiple Imperial military secrets, including Grand Admiral Thrawn's blueprints for a new starfighter equipped with deflector shields: the TIE/d "Defender" Multi-Role Starfighter. In addition, the factory had an East Gate that included a hangar for Imperial Troop Transports and All Terrain Defense Pods.
During the Spectres' escape from Lothal in 4 BBY, they infiltrated the Imperial Armory Complex to commandeer a Sentinel-class landing craft, also acquiring some shield generators during their operation. Before the rebels could board the shuttle, Kanan Jarrus and Ezra Bridger sensed the presence of Darth Vader, who was awaiting their arrival to confront them personally. Despite being outmatched by the Sith Lord, the Jedi successfully escaped without any losses.
By 2 BBY, the former Lothalian Governor Ryder Azadi had established a rebel cell that specialized in sabotaging vehicles manufactured at the Armory Complex. Among the saboteurs was Morad Sumar, a former farmer. These acts of sabotage resulted in a high incidence of accidents among Imperial forces. As a consequence, Imperial High Command dispatched Thrawn to the factory to conduct an investigation. After eliminating Sumar during a test demonstration involving a 614-AvA speeder bike, Thrawn instructed Governor Arihnda Pryce, Agent Kallus, and Lieutenant Yogar Lyste to secure the factory and interrogate the workers. His inspection coincided with an undercover mission by the rebels Ezra, Kanan, and the astromech droid Chopper to steal the Imperial starfighter blueprints.
While Thrawn apprehended at least one worker for a defective AT-DP, Chopper succeeded in stealing the plans after Ezra and Kanan obtained a passcode from an R4 courier droid. The rebels managed to escape the base with assistance from Kallus and a diversionary attack launched by Ryder on the factory's east gate. Ezra's team stole an AT-DP walker and engaged two AT-AT walkers. The successful rebel heist led Thrawn to realize that the Empire had a traitor within its ranks. He then devised a plan to transform the traitor into an asset for the Empire.
Using the intelligence acquired by Chopper, Hera Syndulla formulated plans for a segment of Phoenix Cell to launch an attack on the Imperial factory. Ezra was tasked with gathering reconnaissance on Imperial military movements above the planet. However, prior to proceeding with the mission, Ezra experienced a Force vision created by the former Sith Maul. While Ezra, Kanan, and Sabine Wren addressed Maul, Hera and the remainder of the team journeyed to Lothal.
The TIE/D Defender ultimately commenced production at the Imperial Armory Complex, which had become regarded as the most critical Imperial facility in the region. The Phoenix Squadron and General Jan Dodonna's Massassi Group prepared for a strike on the complex. Nevertheless, their planned attack was disrupted by Thrawn, who exposed Kallus and located the rebel base on Atollon. Consequently, Imperial forces attacked Atollon.
In 1 BBY, the Rebel Alliance initiated a raid against the Imperial Armory Complex, led by Hera and composed of Phoenix Squadron. However, Hera's T-65B X-wing starfighter squadron was intercepted by Thrawn's forces and suffered substantial losses, with numerous starfighters being destroyed or shot down.
However, some time later, when Hera has been captured and being interrogated by Governor Arihnda Pryce, Hera was rescued by a strike team of Kanan, Ezra, and Sabine. However, refusing to let them escape, Pryce pursued them with an armor group of All Terrain Armored Transport walkers to the Lothal City fuel depot, ordering her men to fire on the central fuel tank, as she was willing to sacrifice the installation as a means to see the death of the rebels. As a result, the fuel tanks ruptured and exploded, wiping out the fuel reserves for the Imperial Armory Complex and forcing it to shut down, halting all production of the TIE/D Defender and infuriating Thrawn, who had been away on Coruscant to meet with the Emperor regarding the funding for the TIE/D Defender. Though Pryce revealed that Kanan was dead, killed in the explosion as he sacrificed himself to allow Hera, Ezra, and Sabine to escape, Thrawn was unmoved by the Pyrrhic victory, as the TIE/D Defender production would never be completed, and Pryce would be killed by Thrawn when he returned to Lothal.
The Imperial Armory Complex made its initial appearance, though not explicitly identified, in Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal, a one-hour television movie that premiered on June 20, 2015 on Disney XD. The facility's design was conceived by concept artist Chris Glenn.