Lockheed Martin Australia awards $37m contract to Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia to provide key systems design for Australia’s Future Submarines
Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia to establish sovereign maritime capabilities at
its new facilities in Botany, NSW.
8 October 2019 – SYDNEY, Australia – Lockheed Martin Australia, together with the
Department of Defence, today announced the appointment of Safran Electronics &
Defense Australasia Pty Ltd (Safran) to design three major Combat System
components for Australia’s Future Submarine Program.
The $36.77 million contract, which will be in force until May 2023, will see Safran deliver
the preliminary and detailed designs for the combat system’s optronics search and
attack mast, navigation radar and navigation data distribution components.
The contract scope will also include delivery of prototypes and interface simulators to
enable Lockheed Martin Australia, as the combat system integrator, to conduct further
test activities and validate the integrated performance of the combat system in its
Adelaide-based Combat System Architecture Laboratory (CSAL).
While the contract represents the initial phase of development activities (including the
development of design up to and including the component-level critical design reviews),
it will also see Safran establish sovereign capabilities at its new facility in Botany, NSW,
for the build, integration and ongoing sustainment of these components.
As part of its delivery of this work, Safran will subcontract two Australian companies,
Acacia Systems and Thomas Global Systems, for the design and development of
software and hardware, respectively. The contract will result in more than 11 full-time
positions being created and sustained locally across Safran and its partners.
Speaking at the PACIFIC 2019 International Maritime Exposition, Lockheed Martin
Australia and New Zealand Chief Executive, Joe North, congratulated Safran on the
appointment and said he looked forward to working with the Australian team to support
the Royal Australian Navy with enhanced sovereign capability.
“Lockheed Martin Australia, in concert with the Department of Defence, is committed to
maximising opportunities for Australian industry involvement through all phases of the
Future Submarine Program,” he said.
“Safran represents the international benchmark in submarine optronics and navigation
systems, and we are honoured to welcome the company and its partners to our
Australian combat system team.”
Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia CEO, Alexis de Pelleport, said the contract
represents an important step towards strengthening the company’s footprint and
workforce in Australia.
“The contract with Lockheed Martin Australia and the Department of Defence will allow
us to meet our shared objective of supporting local employment and developing
Australian expertise at our Botany facility and through our local partners,” he said.
“We are pleased to be working with Lockheed Martin Australia and the Commonwealth
to deliver a superior submarine fleet for the region.”
