Revolving door spins ever more quickly

Lockheed Martin Australia has just poached its new CEO straight from the Australian Government’s weapons buying group, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG).

This latest appointment continues the global weapons giant’s long-standing practice of recruiting its local chief executives from the ranks of senior Australian military and defence officials.

Jeremy King, who was head of the Joint Aviation Systems Division in CASG until December, according to his LinkedIn, started his new job with the world’s largest weapons-maker earlier this month. At most, the gap between jobs was six weeks.

Lockheed Martin Australia has $4.7 billion in current contracts with the Australian Government. (Source: Finance Department Austender website, 27.1.26.)

Jeremy King, former Head Joint Aviation Systems Division, CASG

After a transition period working with Lockheed Martin’s current Australian CEO, Warren McDonald – who served in the Royal Australian Air Force for more than 40 years before jumping to Lockheed – Mr King will assume outright responsibility as Lockheed’s new chief executive on 23 February. He will report to the president of Lockheed Martin International, Jay Pitman.

“Jeremy’s exceptional depth of experience in large-scale defence acquisitions, combined with his long-standing commitment to customer-centric leadership, make him the ideal candidate to drive Lockheed Martin’s growth in Australia and New Zealand,” said Mr Pitman.

Mr King said he was honoured to join Lockheed Martin. “I have served the Australian Defence Force for more than 30 years, leading major capability programs such as the MRH-90 and Chinook projects. I am eager to leverage my [extensive experience] in leading Lockheed Martin’s efforts in Australia and New Zealand.”