Lockheed Martin Australia invests $85.9 million in Williamtown Air Power Precinct

Lockheed Martin Australia has started building a new $85.9 million Air Power Precinct at RAAF Base Williamtown in the Hunter region. The purpose-built National Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD) Ecosystem will support next-generation IAMD systems, strengthening the nation’s sovereign defence capability while recognising industry’s significant role across the domain, says Lockheed Martin Australia.

The precinct will also provide critical sustainment capabilities for Australia’s F-35 fleet and support regional sustainment arrangements for other F-35 operators.

Australian-owned contractor, Built, is set to commence construction immediately, with the precinct due to be operational by 2028.

The purpose‑built facilities will house dedicated zones for hardware assembly and installation, integration‑and‑validation, end‑to‑end testing of system‑of‑systems, sustainment of sovereign software, and advanced training for IAMD capability, including Australia’s Joint Air Battle Management System (JABMS), the company says.

“As Defence’s strategic partner on AIR6500 and F‑35, we recognise our duty to uplift Australia’s defence industry from the ground up, turning skilled talent into critical capability,” said Jeremy King, Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand’s Chief Executive.

“This investment demonstrates our enduring commitment to Australia’s military readiness and sovereignty,” he added. “By building a secure, world‑class Air Power Precinct we enhance coalition interoperability and safeguard our nation’s way of life through self‑reliance and advanced technology.”

The precinct will provide program management support to Lockheed Martin Australia’s F ‑35 sustainment team, the company’s largest international F‑35 sustainment operation. It is a critical enabler for Australia to host a dedicated canopy‑repair capability. The state‑of‑the‑art diagnostic, repair and test infrastructure will reduce reliance on overseas assistance, enhance the Royal Australian Air Force’s operational resilience, and reinforce F‑35 operations across the Indo‑Pacific and the global supply chain.