The Albanese Government is investing $1.7 billion to acquire a new fleet of Australian‑designed and built extra-large autonomous undersea vehicles - known as the Ghost Shark - for the Royal Australian Navy.
Defence has signed a contract with Anduril Australia for the delivery, maintenance and continued development of the Ghost Shark over the next five years.
The cutting edge platform is designed to conduct intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike operations, stealthily and at long range. It will deliver a significant boost to Australia's undersea warfare capabilities - complementing Navy's future surface combatant fleet and conventionally‑armed, nuclear‑powered submarines.
This announcement builds on the approximately $140 million the Australian Government has already invested in the development of the Ghost Shark platform, payloads and production facilities since entering into a collaborative contract with Anduril in 2022.
Working alongside Defence personnel, Australia's defence industry and workforce is crucial to delivering this capability.
This five-year contract will support around 120 existing jobs and create more than 150 new highly-skilled, long-term jobs at Anduril Australia.
There are now more than 40 Australian companies working as part of the Ghost Shark supply chain, which are expected to add a further 600 jobs as a result of this investment.
Delivery of uncrewed undersea and surface vessels will provide Australia's Defence Force an asymmetric capability advantage - a key priority outlined in the 2024 National Defence Strategy.
Continued investment in this capability presents a unique opportunity for Australia to design, engineer, and manufacture sovereign uncrewed maritime warfare capabilities, with strong prospects for export opportunities.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles:
"The Ghost Shark is a world-leading platform made right here in Australia.
"The Albanese Government's investments in the Ghost Shark are fast-charging the development of long‑range, undersea autonomous vehicles for our Navy while also backing Australian businesses.
"Over the next five years and beyond the Ghost Shark will equip Navy with the intelligence, surveillance and strike capabilities it needs in an increasingly complex strategic environment."
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy:
"This is a critical capability that the Albanese Government is delivering at pace - with all three prototypes delivered on budget and ahead of schedule.
"Our investment backs in 120 existing workers and creates more than 150 new high-skilled, local jobs.
"This reflects the Albanese Government's unwavering commitment to supporting Australian innovation, backing Australian workers and building a defence future made in Australia."
