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4w ago

Australia Signs A$1.7 Billion Deal to Build ‘Ghost Shark’ Undersea Drones for Navy

Low‑rate production begins under a five‑year program that delivers the first vehicles in January 2026.

In this photo provided by Australia's Department of Defense on September 10, 2025, a Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous undersea vehicle is seen here in Sydney, Australia.
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Richard Marles, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, and Pat Conroy, Australian Minister for Defence Industry, arrive at the Royal Australian Navy base HMAS Kuttabul, in Sydney, Australia, September 10, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams

Overview

  • Defence signed a five‑year contract with Anduril Australia covering delivery, maintenance and continued development of extra‑large autonomous undersea vehicles.
  • The government plans a fleet in the dozens over five years, with exact numbers withheld for security and the first units entering service in early 2026.
  • Ghost Shark is built for long‑range, stealthy intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike missions, and can be launched from shore or warships to complement crewed fleets.
  • The program prioritizes sovereign manufacture and jobs, supporting about 120 existing roles, creating more than 150 new positions at Anduril Australia, and engaging 40+ local suppliers expected to add hundreds more jobs.
  • Co‑development since 2022 delivered three prototypes ahead of schedule, with low‑rate production starting now, a shift to high‑rate production planned by 2026, and export opportunities flagged for allied nations.