Australia is taking another step toward operating its future nuclear-powered submarine fleet, awarding Lockheed Martin a two-year, AUD$26.5 million contract to establish a sovereign Combat Systems Integration (CSI) capability for its future Virginia-class submarines. The work is being undertaken through the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) as part of the AUKUS partnership, with Australian engineers working alongside U.S.-based Virginia-class submarine specialists. Australia’s Defense Department says the Combat System Integration Partner will help implement and test combat-system improvements and support submarine crews with maintenance and repair of the system. The submarines behind the program Australia’s future Virginia-class boats will be conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines operated under Australian command. The CSI work is one piece of that much greater effort.