Lockheed Martin Australia has been selected as Australia’s preferred strategic partner for combat system integration for future Virginia-class submarines, following an announcement by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles.
The company said it will work with the Australian Submarine Agency and ASC to develop what it described as a sovereign workforce to deliver a Virginia Combat System Integration capability.
According to the release, the work will be delivered through a phased plan intended to build the combat systems infrastructure, technical skills, industrial partnerships and workforce required to maintain, update and upgrade the combat systems of Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet.
Lockheed Martin said it will begin the required “uplift” immediately, with the aim of being ready to support forward deployed boats at Submarine Rotational Force–West before Australia receives its own Virginia-class submarines from the early 2030s.
Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand chief executive Jeremy King said, “We are honoured to be selected as the preferred strategic partner to deliver this vital sovereign capability in partnership with the Australian Defence Force and Australian Industry.”
“The AUKUS Pillar 1 nuclear-powered submarine pathway—including combat system integration and sustainment—reinforces the industrial partnership of Australia, the UK and the US, securing a stable, open Indo-Pacific for generations. This critical capability empowers the Royal Australian Navy and its allies to maintain undersea superiority in the region.”
The company said it intends to use its experience supporting submarine combat systems to develop local capability through knowledge transfer and “worldclass practices” across sustainment and upgrades over the submarine lifecycle.
King added, “Lockheed Martin Australia recognises the magnitude of this tri-nation endeavour. Our vision is to deliver enduring, cost-effective undersea dominance for Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet – achieving this through deep partnership with the Commonwealth, industry, academia, and the navies of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States.”
“By harnessing the full force of our sovereign and global combat systems integration experience and committing every necessary resource, we will deliver with excellence to support the realisation of Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine mission.”
Lockheed Martin Australia said it has grown a “140+” combat systems integration workforce supporting the Royal Australian Navy’s Hobart-class destroyers and future Hunter-class frigates, and that the workforce will now also support Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarines.
Stephanie C. Hill, president Rotary and Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin, said, “We are committed to delivering this vital capability in partnership with the Australian Defence Force and Australian industry.”
“Drawing on decades of experience as the U.S. Navy’s submarine combat system integrator, we’re confident that our expertise will enable seamless interoperability between the Australian and U.S. navies, ensuring the SSN fleet is equipped to meet the evolving needs of the Indo-Pacific region.”
