Lockheed Martin Australia has been selected as Australia’s preferred Virginia Class Submarine Combat System Integration Strategic Partner.
“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," Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand’s Chief Executive, Jeremy King, said.
“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.”
Lockheed Martin Australia will work collaboratively with the Australian Submarine Agency and ASC, Australia’s Sovereign Submarine Sustainment Partner, to develop a sovereign workforce to deliver a Virginia Combat System Integration capability.
“We are committed to delivering this vital capability in partnership with the Australian Defence Force and Australian industry,” President Rotary and Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin, Stephanie Hill, highlighted.
“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."
A phased plan will help Australia develop the combat systems infrastructure, technical skills, industrial partnerships, and workforce needed to upkeep, update, and upgrade the combat systems of Australia’s conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet.
Lockheed Martin will commence the necessary uplift immediately, ensuring it is prepared to commence support to forward deployed boats at Submarine Rotational Force–West in advance of delivery of Australia’s own Virginia class submarines from the early 2030s.
Leveraging 60 years of expertise in supporting submarine Combat Systems for the US Navy and navies worldwide, Lockheed Martin Australia will uplift a sovereign workforce through purposeful reach back and knowledge transfer of practices in the sustainment and upgrade of nuclear-powered submarine combat systems throughout all phases of the submarine lifecycle.
“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," King stated.
“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 has steadily grown a 140+ sovereign-ready combat systems integration workforce that delivers advanced systems integration for the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Hobart Class Destroyers, future Hunter Class Frigates, and proudly now for Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarines.