OKLAHOMA CITY – House and Senate leadership praised today’s expansion announcement of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, which plans to open a new advanced manufacturing facility in Bristow, OK to produce its GEK (GE Aerospace-Kratos) turbofan engines.
The announcement was made today during the Oklahoma breakfast in Paris ahead of the 2025 Paris Air Show.
The facility will include three small engine test cells, which are expected to be operational in 2027, thanks to approved grant funding in this year’s general appropriations bill, HB 2766, which went into effect without the Governor’s signature last month. Such funding was possible because of the passage of legislation in the 2024 session, which created the Oklahoma Aircraft Engine Testing Development Grant Program.
“Kratos is already a great Oklahoma company and employer, and I am thrilled they have decided to expand in Bristow. Sen. Haste and I authored legislation in 2024 to specifically to support the further expansion of the defense and aerospace industry in Oklahoma and it is great to see that dream become a reality with today’s expansion announcement,” said Hilbert, R-Bristow. “As a state, we must work to incentivize not only new businesses to relocate to Oklahoma, but for existing businesses to grow and expand. This brings an exciting new project to eastern Oklahoma and with it significant jobs and local tax dollars that will support our local economy. It is a win-win for Bristow, the region and the state as a whole.”
The 50,000-square-foot facility, located on 20 acres, is expected to expand to 100,000 square feet and house up to five GEK engine production lines and initial output of 500 engines annually.
“This facility underscores Kratos’ strategy of delivering affordable, high-performance, made-in-America propulsion systems at scale,” said Stacey Rock, President of Kratos Turbine Technologies, in a release distributed by the company. “Bristow will be a critical site for delivering mass to the mission and meeting the growing propulsion needs of our defense customers.”
The initial engine line is expected to create 60 high-quality jobs at the site, with key positions beginning recruitment in late 2025 and general hiring in Q1 2026. Each additional production line is expected to add approximately 45 new jobs.
“This is a big win — not just for Bristow, but for our region, for the state, and for the country,” Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville, said. “We’re talking about high-quality jobs and cutting-edge manufacturing right here in rural Oklahoma, supporting our local economy and strengthening America’s defense capabilities. I’m proud to support projects that deliver for our communities and for the nation.”
“Aerospace is Oklahoma’s second-largest industry, and the legislation authored by myself and Speaker Hilbert in 2024 was created to help foster its growth trajectory — and this announcement shows it’s working,” said Sen. Haste. “The Oklahoma Aircraft Engine Testing Development Program gives companies like Kratos the tools they need to scale their operations in Oklahoma instead of looking to other states. This investments keeps our state competitive, projects jobs, and reinforces our role in national defense.”
“Kratos’ decision to grow in Oklahoma highlights Oklahoma’s strong workforce and unwavering support for our nation’s defense mission,” said Congressman Frank Lucas, who represents Bristow. “Kratos continues to excel and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this facility will have on our state and national security.”
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS) is a technology, products, system and software company addressing the defense, national security, and commercial markets. Kratos first established a presence in Bristow, Oklahoma, by acquiring Consolidated Turbine Specialists (CTS) — a local business founded in 2012 — in 2019.
