{"id":779453,"date":"2026-07-04T23:12:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T23:12:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/779453\/"},"modified":"2026-07-04T23:12:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T23:12:22","slug":"lockheed-martin-australia-investing-85-9-million-in-air-power-precinct","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/779453\/","title":{"rendered":"Lockheed Martin Australia investing $85.9 million in Air Power Precinct"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"ICAS26<\/a>Lockheed Martin Australia has marked the commencement of a new $85.9 million Air Power Precinct in the Hunter region together wit Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy at a sod-turning ceremony in Williamtown. The purpose-built National Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) Ecosystem will support next-generation IAMD systems, strengthening the nation\u2019s sovereign defence capability while recognising industry\u2019s significant role across the domain and thereby complementing the broader Defence ecosystem. The precinct will also provide critical sustainment capabilities for Australia\u2019s F-35 fleet and support regional sustainment arrangements for other F-35 operators.<\/p>\n

Australian-owned contractor, Built, is set to commence construction immediately, with the precinct due to be operational by 2028. The purpose\u2011built facilities will house dedicated zones for hardware assembly and installation, integration\u2011and\u2011validation, end\u2011to\u2011end testing of system\u2011of\u2011systems, sustainment of sovereign software, and advanced training for IAMD capability, including Australia\u2019s Joint Air Battle Management System.<\/p>\n

The precinct will provide program management support to Lockheed\u202fMartin Australia\u2019s F\u201135 sustainment team, the company\u2019s largest international F\u201135 sustainment operation. It is a critical enabler for Australia to host a dedicated canopy\u2011repair capability. The diagnostic, repair and test infrastructure will reduce reliance on overseas assistance, enhance the Royal Australian Air Force\u2019s operational resilience, and reinforce F\u201135 operations across the Indo\u2011Pacific and the global supply chain.<\/p>\n

Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand\u2019s Chief Executive, Jeremy King, said, \u201cAs Defence\u2019s strategic partner on AIR6500 and F\u201135, we recognise our duty to uplift Australia\u2019s defence industry from the ground up, turning skilled talent into critical capability. This investment demonstrates our enduring commitment to Australia\u2019s military readiness and sovereignty. By building a secure, world\u2011class Air Power Precinct we enhance coalition interoperability and safeguard our nation\u2019s way of life through self\u2011reliance and advanced technology. For the Hunter region, the Lockheed Martin Australia precinct generates important economic benefits. It creates opportunity for jobs growth, small-to-medium enterprise innovation, reinforces supply chain resilience, and positions the Hunter defence community as a strategic hub in the Indo-Pacific F-35 and IAMD ecosystem.\u201d<\/p>\n

The precinct will generate over 200+ jobs during construction, create over 60 new aerospace jobs, and sustain over 230 ongoing highly skilled engineering and technical roles once operational. It will also create opportunities for local suppliers and small-to-medium enterprises to participate in the defence supply chain.<\/p>\n

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