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// DOSSIER — lockheed-martin-secures-australia-air6500-joint-air-battle
Lockheed Martin Secures $1.32B AUD Contract for Australia's AIR6500 Joint Air Battle Management System
REL_TIME: 10 Sep 2026 09:13Z · LANG: EN
The Australian Government has awarded Lockheed Martin Australia a six-year, A$1.32 billion ($950 million USD) contract for Project AIR6500 Tranche 2B to advance and sustain its Joint Air Battle Management System. Forming part of a broader A$2.4 billion six-year modernization investment and a planned A$30 billion ten-year integrated air and missile defense commitment, the program integrates ADF assets—including Hobart-class destroyers, F-35A aircraft, and ground-based air defenses—into a unified battlespace architecture that enhances cross-domain command and control while improving interoperability with Indo-Pacific allies.
// Background
Project AIR6500 forms the core of Australia's Integrated Investment Program commitment of A$30 billion over ten years to build a layered integrated air and missile defense system. In the preceding Tranche 2A phase, Lockheed Martin developed a modular prototype, built two joint tactical operations centers, constructed an integration laboratory in Adelaide, and trained Royal Australian Air Force personnel. Concurrently, Australia has been boosting related defensive assets, including achieving Final Operational Capability for the Australian Army's NASAMS batteries acquired in 2017.
// Key Developments
- Lockheed Martin Australia awarded a six-year, A$1.32 billion ($950 million USD) contract for Project AIR6500 Tranche 2B.
- The contract forms part of a wider A$2.4 billion Australian investment in air surveillance and aircraft control modernization.
- The system creates a single operational picture integrating sensors, targeting networks, and platforms like F-35A fighters and Hobart-class destroyers with allied forces.
- Lockheed Martin is separately investing $85.9 million in a sovereign national integrated air and missile defense facility.
- Program workforce will expand from 360 to more than 400 engineers and specialists in Australia over the next 18 months.
- The Australian Department of Defence also confirmed that the Australian Army's NASAMS capability has achieved Final Operational Capability.
// Timeline
-
Australia contracts Raytheon Australia to acquire two batteries of three NASAMS launchers for short-range ground-based air defense.
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Lockheed Martin delivers AIR6500 Tranche 2A milestones, including a prototype battle management system, tactical operations centers, and an integration lab in Adelaide.
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Australia awards Lockheed Martin the A$1.32 billion Tranche 2B contract and announces NASAMS has achieved Final Operational Capability.
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Lockheed Martin plans to increase its local engineering and technical workforce on the program from 360 to over 400.
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Australian industry partners and Lockheed Martin will execute the A$1.32 billion AIR6500 Tranche 2B upgrades as part of the broader A$2.4 billion surveillance modernization.
// Perspectives
[Australian Department of Defence]
Views the procurement as a landmark modernization project essential to delivering on the National Defence Strategy, the Defence Industry Development Strategy, and sovereign defense capability.
[Lockheed Martin Australia]
Committed to partnering with local Australian defense primes, SMEs, and academia to deliver a resilient, sovereign, and scalable joint battle management network that enhances allied deterrence.
// Quotes
“AIR6500 is a landmark investment in Australia's air and missile defence and will help ensure the Australian Defence Force can respond effectively to future threats and deliver on the priorities of both the National Defence Strategy and the Defence Industry Development Strategy.”
“The next phase of AIR6500 fortifies the core of Australia’s integrated air and missile defence. AIR6500 enhances the joint force by bringing all ADF defence assets together on a scalable, resilient, and collaborative platform.”
“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.”
“As the strategic partner for AIR6500, Lockheed Martin is proud to continue working with the Department of Defence to rapidly evolve an advanced integrated air and missile defence system that safeguards the Indo-Pacific region.”
