Lockheed Martin deal to build Australia’s submarine engineering workforce

Lockheed Martin Australia has signed a multi-year A$29.3 million contract with the Australian Submarine Agency to develop a sovereign combat systems integration capability for Australia's future Virginia class submarines.

According to Space and Defence, the agreement will focus on building Australia's workforce and industrial capability to integrate, upgrade and maintain submarine combat systems under AUKUS.

Focus on skills and technical capability

The work will cover infrastructure, technical skills development, training and technology transfer.

It will also involve industrial partnerships and workforce development. The goal is to build local capability to support submarine combat systems over the life of Australia's future nuclear-powered fleet.

Australian Submarine Agency Head of Virginia, Rear Admiral David Mann, AM, RAN, said, “Combat system integration is critical to the capability and effectiveness of our future submarine fleet.

“This partnership will help grow Australia’s skilled workforce, strengthen sovereign industry capability, and create new opportunities for Australian businesses,” he further said.

“Together, we are building the expertise needed to support and sustain this nationally significant capability for decades to come,” he added.

Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive Jeremy King said, “I acknowledge and thank the Australian Submarine Agency on achieving this important milestone.”

“Combat systems integration is fundamental to delivering a highly advanced, secure and operationally dominant submarine fleet,” he commented.

“Lockheed Martin Australia brings decades of combat systems integration expertise to this partnership, and we are deeply honoured to support the Australian Submarine Agency. This national endeavour builds the workforce and sovereign capability that will underpin Australia’s future submarine enterprise,” he elaborated.

More than 20 new engineering roles

The contract is expected to create more than 20 combat systems integration engineering roles.

The positions will initially support work in Western Australia during the first year.

They will add to Lockheed Martin Australia's existing workforce of more than 470 people across maritime combat systems and integrated air and missile defence.

The workforce is expected to expand as Australian industry takes on more work supporting United States Navy submarines at Submarine Rotational Force-West.

The activity is part of Australia's preparations to operate its own nuclear-powered submarine fleet.

US specialists to train Australian staff

Virginia class submarine specialists from the United States will initially support the Australian team.

They will help train local staff and support capability development.

Lockheed Martin Australia said the specialists will “shadow local engineers” to transfer technical knowledge.

The programme is intended to develop an Australian workforce capable of supporting and sustaining the combat system capability over the life of the submarine fleet.

Supply chain opportunities under review

The contract also includes a market analysis of Australia's supply chain requirements for the Virginia class combat system.

The analysis will examine where Australian suppliers could contribute to the wider global Virginia class supply chain.

The work forms part of broader efforts to develop Australia's sovereign submarine sustainment and integration capability.

It also covers the workforce and industrial capacity needed to support future nuclear-powered submarine operations and interoperability with Australia's AUKUS partners.