From Space to Seabed: Lockheed Dives Into Minerals Race

Lockheed begins talks to open its seabed licences, hinting at a new phase in deep-ocean mining

10 Nov 2025

Lockheed Martin has begun preliminary talks with potential partners to develop its Pacific seabed licences, marking a quiet return to an area it first entered more than four decades ago. The US defence contractor confirmed it is in a “pre-partnership” stage with several mining and technology companies.

The move represents a shift for Lockheed, whose deep-ocean mining rights, some acquired in the early 1980s, have largely remained unused. By inviting other companies to explore or process seabed materials, it signals interest in facilitating mineral extraction rather than managing operations directly.

Lockheed’s interest reflects growing competition for access to critical minerals such as nickel, cobalt and copper, which are essential for batteries, electric vehicles and advanced defence systems. As land-based deposits tighten, attention has turned to the ocean floor as a potential new supply source.

Industry analysts say commercial deep-sea mining remains years away but is gaining momentum. Several companies and governments are positioning themselves ahead of an eventual regulatory framework from the International Seabed Authority, the UN-backed body responsible for managing international seabed resources.

“The rules of engagement are still being written,” said one analyst familiar with the talks. “Companies want to be ready when the market opens.”

For Lockheed, early partnerships could help shape emerging standards in technology, logistics and environmental management. The company appears to be seeking a role in the sector’s development while avoiding the direct financial and ecological exposure of mining operations.

Major obstacles persist. The Seabed Authority has yet to finalise its mining code, and scientists warn of potential harm to deep-sea ecosystems. Operating several kilometres below the surface requires expensive robotics and stringent oversight.

Lockheed’s move, while tentative, signals renewed interest in the seabed as a strategic resource frontier. In a global scramble for minerals to power the energy transition, even modest activity beneath the Pacific could have far-reaching implications.