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2w ago

Australia Awards Lockheed Martin Contract to Build Sovereign Submarine Combat‑System Integration Capability

The AUD$26.5 million, two‑year deal funds knowledge transfer with U.S. Virginia‑class experts, a supplier market study, plus initial engineering roles in Western Australia to begin building local undersea skills.

Australia plans to acquire three Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines. (In image: Virginia-class attack submarine USS California)
Australian Submarine Agency Head of Virginia, Rear Admiral David Mann, AM, RAN together with Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive, Jeremy King, signed a multi-year contract to create CSI capability for Australia’s future Virginia class submarines. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

Overview

  • The Australian Submarine Agency has contracted Lockheed Martin for a two‑year, AUD$26.5 million program to establish an in‑country Combat Systems Integration (CSI) capability for Australia’s future Virginia‑class submarines.
  • Australian engineers will work alongside U.S. Virginia‑class subject‑matter experts to transfer technical know‑how and speed the development of a sustainable, sovereign integration team.
  • The work begins with a market analysis of Australia’s supply chain to identify local businesses that can join global combat‑system support networks and reduce reliance on overseas suppliers.
  • The contract will create more than 20 initial CSI engineering positions in Western Australia and expand Lockheed Martin’s regional maritime engineering footprint to support long‑term sustainment and interoperability.
  • Combat systems integration ties sensors, communications, tactical software and weapons into a submarine’s decision system, so building that skill set in Australia strengthens allied interoperability and helps ensure Canberra can maintain and upgrade its boats over decades.