Vince Di Pietro served as Commander Fleet Air Arm between January 2013 and January 2016. (Defence)

Former Fleet Air Arm Commander Vince Di Pietro will succeed Raydon Gates as vice president and chief executive of Lockheed Martin Australia from January 2017.

Di Pietro served in the Royal Australian Navy for 39 years, first training as a pilot and then serving in a variety of increasingly senior roles rising to the rank of Commodore and culminating as Commander Fleet Air Arm between January 2013 and January 2016, where he oversaw the introduction of new naval aviation capabilities such as the Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky MH-60R Romeo naval combat helicopter and the Helicopter Aircrew Training System.

Previous roles include serving as Australia’s naval attache to the United States from June 2007 to June 2010 and as director general Navy capability plans and engagement from August 2010 to January 2013.

“The calibre of this appointment reinforces the importance of the Australian and New Zealand markets to Lockheed Martin, and I am delighted Vince will lead our organisation as we pursue opportunities to expand the innovative products and services we provide to our partners in Australia and New Zealand,” senior vice president for Lockheed International, John Rood, said in a statement.

Gates, meanwhile, will continue to lead Lockheed Martin in Australia and New Zealand until his retirement in January 2017.