Lockheed Martin Australia has been selected as the preferred combat system integrator for the Future Submarine program.

The selection, which follows a limited tender process that also involved Raytheon Australia, is subject to further discussions on commercial matters, announced Minister for Defence Senator Marise Payne and Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne.

“Lockheed Martin Australia will be our combat system integrator to partner with Defence and DCNS to design and integrate the combat system of our Future Submarine which meets our unique capability requirements,” Senator Payne said in a statement.

“By partnering with an Australian-based company with strong links to the United States we will ensure that we get the best Australian and US technology, while ensuring that our sensitive technology is protected.”

Lockheed Martin Australia intends to team with other Australian companies to provide the engineering capacity needed to support the program, according to Minister Pyne.

“Lockheed Martin Australia’s involvement in the Future Submarine program is likely to create around 200 skilled Australian jobs during the design and build phases of the program,” the Defence Industry Minister said. “The 200 full-time combat system integration jobs form part of around 2,800 jobs associated with the broader Future Submarine program.

“I am pleased that a team of Australian companies will integrate the Future Submarine combat system in a dedicated facility in Adelaide. This will see investment in engineering, project management and other high-technology industries in Australia.”

Minister Pyne added: “Australian industry will be directly involved in the highly technical work of designing and integrating the combat system for the Future Submarine, further developing our own capability in this specialised area.”

Raytheon Australia will continue to provide in-service support for the Collins class submarines, the statement noted.