Lockheed completes $3.45bn Ultra Maritime deal with Australian naval links

Lockheed Martin has completed its US$3.45 billion acquisition of Ultra Maritime, expanding the American defence contractor's position in anti-submarine warfare and bringing a supplier to Australia's Hunter-class frigates under its ownership.

The company announced the transaction's completion on 26 October, following an agreement reached with private equity group Advent International in July.

Ultra Maritime develops sonar systems, sonobuoys, torpedo defence equipment, electronic warfare systems and autonomous maritime sensing technology.

The acquired business will operate within Lockheed Martin's Rotary and Mission Systems division.

Hunter frigate supplier changes ownership

Ultra Maritime Australia has secured contracts to supply key systems for the Royal Australian Navy's six planned Hunter-class frigates, which are being constructed in South Australia.

In March 2025, the company announced a contract with BAE Systems Maritime Australia to supply its 2150 bow sonar.

The system provides active and passive underwater detection, mine and obstacle avoidance functions, underwater communications and torpedo detection capabilities.

Ultra Maritime subsequently announced a contract to supply its Surface Ship Torpedo Defence system for the Hunter class.

The system combines a towed sensor array with automatic threat alerts designed to identify incoming torpedoes and support defensive responses.

The contracts mean that Lockheed's newly acquired business already has a position in one of Australia's largest naval construction programmes.

However, neither Lockheed nor Ultra Maritime has announced changes to Australian delivery arrangements, staffing or contractual responsibilities resulting from the acquisition.

Expanding the undersea portfolio

Lockheed said the acquisition would broaden its range of anti-submarine warfare technologies, particularly sonobuoys, towed-array sonar and hull-mounted acoustic systems.

Ultra Maritime has an international customer base, including allied navies seeking additional capacity to monitor submarines and protect surface vessels.

Advent International, which acquired the business in 2022, said in July that it had invested approximately US$170 million in engineering, product development and manufacturing during its ownership.

The investment was intended to expand production capacity, improve delivery performance and strengthen Ultra Maritime's position as an independent provider of undersea warfare systems.

The acquisition comes amid growing demand for maritime surveillance and submarine detection technology.

Different roles in Australia's sonar industry

The transaction also follows the opening of a Thales Australia towed-array sonar manufacturing and sustainment facility at Rydalmere in Western Sydney.

The two developments concern different companies and equipment responsibilities within Australia's naval supply chain.

Ultra Maritime's Hunter contracts cover bow sonar and surface-ship torpedo defence. Thales Australia is involved in towed-array sonar manufacturing and sustainment.

Both are relevant to Australia's efforts to expand domestic support for advanced anti-submarine warfare systems.

The acquisition gives Lockheed a broader collection of undersea technologies, but it does not automatically change where Ultra Maritime's Australian equipment is manufactured or maintained.

Those commercial and industrial arrangements will become clearer as Lockheed integrates the business.