PARIS, France (OBV) – The Paris Air Show was a soaring success for Oklahoma aerospace. Multiple companies made significant business agreements while participating in the Air Show.
Gov. Kevin Stitt led an Oklahoma delegation that traveled to Paris for the Air Show, which is regarded as the preeminent aerospace and defense industry showcase in the world.
The Oklahoma delegation also included Secretary of Commerce Deborah Moorad, Secretary of Military & Veteran Affairs John Nash, seven state representatives, 11 Oklahoma companies, three economic development organizations, three higher education institutions and two other state agencies, according to Oklahoma Department of Commerce officials.
“When I took office, I promised to bring Oklahoma to the world, and the world to Oklahoma,” Stitt said. “Every time I talk to a company at these shows they are asking how they can do business in Oklahoma, because they see our pro-business, pro-freedom policies are allowing the free market to thrive. That’s exactly why we are the MRO capital of the world and one of the fastest rising hubs for national defense.”
The following companies were part of the delegation:
- Acorn Capital Management
- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
- CymSTAR
- MST Manufacturing
- AeroCore Group
- Baskins Machined Products
- Wilder Systems
- Tubacex
- WHI
- Consolidated Turbine Specialists
- Nomad
The delegation also included the following community partners:
- Oklahoma Department of Aerospace & Aeronautics
- Greater Oklahoma City Chamber
- Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation
- Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust
- Rose State College
- Southwestern Oklahoma State University
- Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority
- OSU Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education
- Oklahoma Manufacturing Alliance
- Tulsa Regional Chamber
- Oklahoma City Will Rogers International Airport
The Oklahoma delegation made the most of their time at the Air Show, shoring up deals that Oklahoma Commerce officials say will generate millions of dollars in new investment and produce good jobs for Oklahomans.
“Our goal is for companies to love Oklahoma as much as we do,” said Secretary of Commerce Deborah Moorad. “In our meetings with senior leadership and key industry stakeholders, companies now recognize Oklahoma as the most business-friendly state in the country and a key player in aerospace and defense. The conversations we had at the Paris Air Show are laying the groundwork for new investment in this rapidly growing sector which means more jobs and a stronger economic future for Oklahoma.”
MST Manufacturing, which is based in Claremore, agreed to a strategic partnership with Modig Machine Tools to meet remedy tooling challenges. It also signed a long-term agreement with CPI Aerostructures for parts manufacturing.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions officials announced that the company will build a manufacturing facility in Bristow, Okla., that will produce turbojet engines.
“I couldn’t be more excited to announce at the Paris Air Show that Kratos is reinvesting in Oklahoma,” said Stacey Rock, President of Kratos Turbine Technologies. “This facility underscores Kratos’ commitment to the state and our strategy of delivering affordable, high-performance, made-in-America propulsion systems at scale. Bristow will be a critical site for meeting the growing propulsion needs of our defense customers.”
Oklahoma Commerce officials and Oklahoma City Will Rogers International Airport officials announced the agencies are partnering with Dawn Aerospace to bring spaceflight to the Oklahoma Air and Space Port in Burns Flat.
“The Paris Air Show was the perfect venue to announce that Oklahoma is going to space,” said Oklahoma Representative Nick Archer. “This partnership with Dawn Aerospace will make our state and Burns Flat the premier U.S. launch site for microgravity research. I can’t wait to see how this agreement transforms Oklahoma and revolutionizes the way the country thinks about spaceflight.”
Two Oklahoma schools of higher learning also made big aerospace announcements during the Air Show.
Rose State College announced that it obtained funding to launch Oklahoma’s first associate degree in simulation technology. It will be the second such program in the U.S.
“Simulation technology is a rapidly growing field, and the Paris Air Show was the perfect place to announce this brand-new program that will provide students with a direct pipeline into high-paying, high-demand careers in Oklahoma,” said Whitney Alvis, Dean of Workforce at Rose State College. “By combining hands-on training with stackable micro-credentials, we’re not only meeting the urgent needs of our industry partners but also providing students with the tools they need to succeed and grow throughout their careers.”
Southwestern Oklahoma State University entered into an education memorandum of understanding (MOU) with PPA Business School in Paris. The MOU creates a pathway for PPA Business graduates to enter the SWOSU Master of Business Administration degree program. The PPA graduates will take courses and complete their MBA as traditional students at SWOSU, according to Oklahoma Commerce officials.
Aerospace and defense is the second largest and fastest growing industry in Oklahoma. It has a $44 billion economic impact on the state.
