CANBERRA, 15 MAY 2026 – Lockheed Martin Australia welcomed today’s announcement by Deputy Prime Minister of Australia and Minister for Defence, The Honourable Richard Marles MP, on Lockheed Martin being selected as Australia’s preferred Virginia Class Submarine Combat System Integration Strategic Partner.

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.

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.

Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand’s 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.”

Leveraging 60 years of expertise in supporting submarine Combat Systems for the U.S. Navy and navies worldwide, Lockheed Martin Australia will uplift a sovereign workforce through purposeful reach back and knowledge transfer of worldclass practices in the sustainment and upgrade of nuclear-powered submarine combat systems throughout all phases of 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 has steadily grown a 140+ sovereign-ready combat systems integration workforce that delivers advanced systems integration for the Royal Australian Navy’s Hobart Class Destroyers, future Hunter Class Frigates, and proudly now for Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarines.

“We are committed to delivering this vital capability in partnership with the Australian Defence Force and Australian industry,” said Stephanie C. Hill, President Rotary and Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin.

“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."

About Lockheed Martin Australia

Headquartered in Canberra, Lockheed Martin Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. The company employs more than 1,800 people in Australia working on a wide range of major programs spanning the aerospace, Defence and civil sectors. 

Lockheed Martin Australia Media Contact:

Stacey Ward, +61 439 369 305, stacey.l.ward@global.lmco.com