Australia invests billions in Lockheed Martin partnership to boost air capabilities

The Australian Government has committed to inject a multi-billion dollar boost to the next stage of the country’s air and missile defence modernisation, with Lockheed Martin Australia set to support the effort.

The funding of AUD$2.4 billion (approx. $1.7 billion) will be distributed over six years under the Australian Department of Defence’s strategic partnership with the American defence manufacturer, as Australian media reports.

According to the government's announcement, the investment will be used to replace existing air surveillance and aircraft control systems with upgraded capabilities designed to improve the coordination of Defence operations in Australia and abroad.

The new capability will also connect existing and future Australian Defence platforms, including the Medium-Range Ground-Based Air Defence (MRGBAD) system, Hobart-class destroyers and F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft.

According to the government, the upgrades will strengthen the Australian Defence Force’s ability to operate as an “integrated force” while improving its capacity to detect, track and respond to increasingly sophisticated air and missile threats.

The investment represents the second tranche of the AIR 6500 project, which is intended to provide the ADF with a Joint Air Battle Management System.

The project is expected to generate more than 360 skilled jobs in the Hunter Region and South Australia, while providing further support to Australia’s domestic defence industry.

Australia’s Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the investment would support employment while strengthening the country’s defence capabilities.

“Today’s announcement is seeing the Albanese Government once again supporting well-paid, secure Australian jobs and backing Australian Defence industry.

“Through AIR 6500, we are delivering a world-class command and control capability while strengthening Australia’s sovereign industrial base, growing a highly skilled workforce and retaining critical integrated air and missile defence expertise in Australia.”

Meanwhile, the Australian Army’s National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) has reached Final Operational Capability (FOC), meaning the system is now fully operational and available for deployment across the ADF.

NASAMS serves as the inner layer of Australia’s ground-based air defence architecture, protecting military personnel and critical infrastructure from aerial threats including aircraft, helicopters, drones and cruise missiles.

The system’s operational rollout was conducted in stages and included live-fire exercises and operational training by the 16 Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, in Adelaide.

Defence officials said NASAMS reaching FOC represents a major enhancement of Australia’s ability to counter airborne threats as part of an integrated, multi-domain defence structure.

“The achievement of Final Operational Capability delivers a world-leading capability for Defence and provides a major boost to Australia’s integrated air and missile defence,” Conroy added.

By Nazrin Sadigova