An Anduril Ghost Shark Extra Large Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (XL-AUV)
Australia has said that it will spend A$1.7 billion ($1.1 billion) on a fleet of “Ghost Shark” autonomous undersea vehicles, developed by US startup Anduril Industries and its defense force, for surveillance and strikes.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles told reporters on Wednesday the Ghost Shark will complement Australia’s navy surface fleet and submarines, providing “a more capable and more lethal navy”.
Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy said that dozens of Ghost Sharks will be built in Australia, with opportunities to export to allies.
Conroy stated, “It has the capability to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and strike at extremely long distances from the Australian continent”. He added that the first Ghost Sharks will be in service at the beginning of 2026.
Officials have said the contract with Anduril Australia encompasses the delivery, maintenance, and continued development of the Ghost Shark over the next five years.
Anduril began development of the Ghost Shark with Australia’s defense force in 2022 and has been preparing a facility in New South Wales for production ahead of any contract.
Australia’s Defense Science and Technology Group has stated its intention to incorporate autonomous technology into the defense force, given the country’s sparse population compared to its relatively vast coastline and approximately 3 million square kilometres (1.2 million square miles) of northern ocean that requires defense.
There are also plans to build nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS programme with Britain and the United States over three decades.