Lockheed Martin Australia has marked the commencement of a new $85.9 million Air Power Precinct in the Hunter region, together with Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, at a sod-turning ceremony in Williamtown.
“As Defence’s strategic partner on AIR6500 and F‑35, we recognise our duty to uplift Australia’s defence industry from the ground up, turning skilled talent into critical capability," Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Jeremy King, said.
“This investment demonstrates our enduring commitment to Australia’s military readiness and sovereignty. By building a secure, world‑class Air Power Precinct we enhance coalition interoperability and safeguard our nation’s way of life through self‑reliance and advanced technology.”
The purpose-built National Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) Ecosystem will support next-generation IAMD systems. The precinct will also provide critical sustainment capabilities for Australia’s F-35 fleet and support regional sustainment arrangements for other F-35 operators.
“For the Hunter region, the Lockheed Martin Australia precinct generates important economic benefits. It creates opportunity for jobs growth, small-to-medium enterprise innovation, reinforces supply chain resilience, and positions the Hunter defence community as a strategic hub in the Indo-Pacific F-35 and IAMD ecosystem," King stated.
Australian-owned contractor, Built, is set to commence construction immediately, with the precinct due to be operational by 2028.
The purpose‑built facilities will house dedicated zones for hardware assembly and installation, integration‑and‑validation, end‑to‑end testing of system‑of‑systems, sustainment of sovereign software, and advanced training for IAMD capability, including Australia’s Joint Air Battle Management System.
The precinct will provide program management support to Lockheed Martin Australia’s F‑35 sustainment team, the company’s largest international F‑35 sustainment operation. It is a critical enabler for Australia to host a dedicated canopy‑repair capability.
The diagnostic, repair and test infrastructure will reduce reliance on overseas assistance, enhance the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) operational resilience, and reinforce F‑35 operations across the Indo‑Pacific and the global supply chain.
Lockheed Martin hopes it will also create opportunities for local suppliers and small-to-medium enterprises to participate in the defence supply chain.