Last month Utah’s 47G (Salt Lake City, UT) led a trade delegation to Romania, fostering aerospace and defense partnerships. The mission strengthened global ties, supported F-35 integration, and expanded economic opportunities.
Salt Lake City, Utah - April 3, 2025
47G, Utah’s Aerospace and Defense Association, recently led a trade delegation to Romania, uniting 15 U.S. organizations to develop strategic partnerships in Eastern Europe’s defense and technology sectors.
We sat down with Aaron Starks, President and CEO of 47G to discuss how this summit aligned with 47G’s goals and how this will develop Utah.
The Utah-based companies and organizations that participated included:
These firms represent a range of specialties across cybersecurity, infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, aerospace integration, and more.
“There’s a hunger in the industry to expand into markets where innovation and need intersect,” said Starks. “Utah businesses are highly agile, and they recognize that Eastern Europe, particularly NATO-aligned nations like Romania, offers significant growth potential for aerospace, cybersecurity, and logistics.”
The mission was coordinated in partnership with the Romanian Defense Association, the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest, and Romanian government ministries, including Defense, Economy, and Internal Affairs. Throughout the visit, Utah companies engaged in multiple one-on-one business meetings with 20 Romanian firms and government agencies. Many of these meetings were arranged based on each company's interests and capabilities.
Starks said the mission focused on three strategic goals: developing new business opportunities, advancing international engagement, and strengthening regional security partnerships. The timing was significant, as Romania is preparing to acquire the F-35 fighter jet platform from the U.S.
“The F-35 is more than a plane. It is a complete ecosystem,” said Starks. “It requires pilot training programs, secure software systems, maintenance infrastructure, hangar construction, and long-term logistics. Utah has already built the capacity to support these components, and this creates a natural opportunity to partner with Romania.”
Several Utah companies on the mission are already involved in the F-35 supply chain, providing maintenance and support services for the aircraft. Romania’s investment in the platform represents a long-term opportunity for collaboration across a variety of sectors, from advanced materials to systems integration.
In addition to commercial firms, the delegation included representatives from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They focused on exploring humanitarian partnerships and expanding service opportunities in the region. “We were proud to bring a diverse group,” said Starks. “This mission was about building trust, opening doors, and creating long-term relationships that go beyond transactional business.”
The group also made a brief stop in Bulgaria, where they met with national leaders and government ministries. There, they were hosted by the President and discussed similar areas of cooperation, including national defense, digital infrastructure, and workforce development.
A cultural day was scheduled at the end of the visit to Romania. Many companies used this time to continue business meetings, finalize agreements, or explore potential follow-ups. According to Starks, this flexibility added real value to the trip.
When asked whether the trip had shifted or reaffirmed 47G’s mission, Starks emphasized that it strengthened their commitment to collaboration and global engagement. “We're grateful to partner with good organizations like World Trade Center Utah, the state of Utah, and others,” he said. “Economic development is a team sport; building an industry is a team sport. And so we're just reminded that these experiences are important for our companies and for humanitarian efforts and for trade, and we want to continue helping our industry be front and center, and be engaged in that space.”
He also reflected on a past trip to Ukraine, recalling a moment that continues to shape his perspective. While riding through a suburb of Kyiv, he saw an elderly woman tending to a rose garden outside her war-damaged home. “That moment stuck with me,” he said. “It reminded me why international engagement matters. When you see resilience like that, you want to do everything you can to build partnerships that support peace, security, and prosperity.”
According to Starks, feedback from the mission has been overwhelmingly positive. Several companies appreciated the access and support provided by 47G and its partners.
“Two of our members told us we were the tip of the spear. We were able to open doors they could not have reached alone. That is the kind of value we strive to deliver,” he said.
The Romania mission aligns with 47G’s broader strategy to position Utah as the top aerospace and defense ecosystem in the nation. A recent joint study with EDCUtah confirmed that Utah’s sector is the fastest-growing of its kind in the country.
“Global connections are essential to that growth,” said Starks. “They bring in investment, create workforce opportunities, and help us stay competitive. These missions are one of the most effective ways we can support our members.”
47G is exploring a future mission to Australia. Starks said interest from both Utah companies and Australian government representatives has been growing, and a collaborative trip is likely within the next year.
Still, he emphasized that international expansion is not about promoting the 47G brand abroad. The priority remains on generating value for Utah companies and responding to industry demand.
“We are not trying to plant a flag in other countries,” said Starks. “We go where our members want to go. That is how we measure success.”
“Access to capital is the biggest hurdle for companies in this space,” said Starks. “We want to help them bridge that gap and scale within Utah.”
Looking back on the Romania mission, Starks said it affirmed the state’s capacity to lead in global industry dialogues and to act as a reliable partner in regions undergoing transformation. Looking ahead, he sees a growing need for U.S. industry to take a proactive role in shaping international ecosystems.
“As global dynamics shift, Utah’s aerospace and defense community is uniquely positioned to lead with both innovation and purpose,” said Starks. “This is just the beginning.”
For more information, visit 47G.