Investing in Ghost Shark drones Australia strengthens naval power with advanced surveillance and strike capability.
Australia will spend $1.1 billion on a fleet of Ghost Shark autonomous undersea vehicles developed with U.S. startup Anduril Industries, Defence Minister Richard Marles announced on Wednesday. The investment aims to strengthen the navy’s surveillance and strike capabilities while complementing its surface fleet and submarines.
Dozens of Ghost Sharks will be built in Australia, with officials highlighting export opportunities for allies. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the drones can conduct intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and long-range strikes, adding the first units will be operational by January 2026.
The Ghost Shark program will be produced at Anduril’s Australian facility in New South Wales, where the company began collaborating with the defence force in 2022. The five-year contract covers delivery, maintenance and further development of the system. Officials declined to specify the range or the total number of drones.
The initiative comes alongside Australia’s plan to acquire nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS pact with the United States and Britain, intended to counter China’s rapid naval expansion in the Indo-Pacific.
Navy Chief Mark Hammond said the Ghost Shark can be deployed from Australian bases, ships or military aircraft and operate over long distances. He noted the undersea domain remains highly contested but offers significant advantages for allied forces.
Anduril Industries said the Ghost Shark moved from concept to production in just three years thanks to shared risk with the Royal Australian Navy, and emphasized its role in addressing growing Chinese naval activity near Australian waters.
