AUKUS in Australia is taking another significant step forward with the Australian Government selecting Lockheed Martin Australia as the preferred combat system integration partner for Australia’s future fleet of Virginia-class submarines.
Under the arrangement, Lockheed Martin will collaborate with the Australian Submarine Agency and the Australian Submarine Corporation to deliver a phased integration and sustainment program for the submarines’ combat systems.
The effort will also support forward-deployed submarines participating in Submarine Rotational Force-West operations ahead of Australia receiving its first Virginia-class boats in the 2030s.
The company said the program will focus heavily on developing an Australian workforce capable of operating, sustaining, and upgrading the combat systems locally. Through training initiatives and technology transfer, Australia aims to establish a sovereign capability that remains fully interoperable with systems used by the US Navy.
The country will acquire its first of three sovereign Virginia-class submarines in the early 2030s.
“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.
“The combat system underpins the potency and lethality of a submarine. The Combat System Integration Partner is pivotal to the effectiveness of Australia’s future Virginia class submarines – including through the implementation and testing of combat systems improvements, and supporting crews in conducting maintenance and repair on the combat system,” the government officials stated.
Lockheed Martin supports the Royal Australian Navy’s Hobart-class destroyer fleet and future Hunter-class frigate program and is extending that capability to Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines.