Australia’s just made a massive splash in the world of defence tech. In September 2025, the country poured $1.7 billion into building dozens of these sleek Ghost Shark autonomous underwater vehicles. It’s not your everyday military deal, this is Australia throwing down the gauntlet for the next era of sea battles.
The Ghost Shark isn’t just a fancy gadget; it’s a game-changer that shows Australia shifting gears towards smart, self-running underwater ops. This could totally shake up how countries guard their oceans.
Getting to Grips with Ghost Shark’s Tech
At its heart, the Ghost Shark runs on Anduril’s Lattice AI system. That means it can plan missions on its own and make snap decisions without anyone pulling strings from afar. Forget the old-school subs – this one’s a whole new breed.
The Ghost Shark is an underwater vehicle built for the Royal Australian Navy
Here’s the rundown on its specs:
- Range: Over 313 nautical miles, with serious long-haul potential.
- Depth: Dives down to 6,000 metres – that’s deep ocean territory.
- Endurance: Stays underwater on autopilot for up to 10 days.
- Modular setup: Swap in payloads to suit whatever job it’s tackling.
What sets it apart from regular subs? It uses a ‘flooded’ design, where key bits are sealed off watertight. That boosts its range and stamina, letting it handle those crushing depths without breaking a sweat.
And the mast? It’s no clunky add-on like on older models. As Anduril’s Dr Shane Arnott puts it, “We don’t have big masts running down the backbone like a lot of other designs, which stop payloads from popping out in all directions.”
Why the Ghost Shark Matters for Australia’s Defence
Defence Minister Richard Marles calls it “the highest tech capability in the world”, putting Australia right up there with the big players in underwater autonomy. And the timing? Spot on, with the region’s security looking more dicey than it has since World War II.
These Ghost Sharks will team up with Australia’s surface ships and subs, making the navy sharper and deadlier overall. They’ll handle all sorts of jobs:
- Spying, watching, and scouting missions.
- Striking back with torpedoes or missiles if needed.
- Clearing out mines.
- Patrolling vast stretches of ocean.
Navy Chief Vice Admiral Mark Hammond says they can launch from land bases or right off warships, giving us options we’ve never had before. It all ties into Australia’s push for key minerals too – showing Australia is serious about owning its defence tech future.
Boosting Jobs and the Economy
Beyond the firepower, the Ghost Shark program’s a winner for the wallet. This five-year deal keeps 120 jobs humming and adds over 150 new skilled roles at Anduril Australia.
Quick numbers:
- Direct cash: $1.7 billion spread over five years.
- Earlier spend: $140 million kicked off in 2022.
- Supply chain: More than 40 Aussie firms pitching in.
- Extra jobs: Around 600 more rippling through suppliers.
With over 40 local companies now in the mix, expect those 600 jobs to materialise as things ramp up. It’s proof Australia’s defence manufacturing scene is firing on all cylinders. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy reckons there’s solid export potential too, lining up with our 2024 National Defence Strategy.
From Right- Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO, RAN, David Goodrich OAM (Executive Chairman and CEO of Anduril Asia-Pacific), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, Minister for Defence Industry and Minister for Pacific Island Affairs the Hon. Pat Conroy MP and Dr Ninh Duong, Acting Chief Defence Scientist, at Fleet Base East in Sydney
How It Fits the Global Underwater Drone Scene
The Ghost Shark’s jumping into a booming market. Experts reckon the worldwide autonomous underwater vehicle biz will hit $6.56 billion by 2030, growing at a whopping 20.62% per year.
What’s fuelling it?
- Defence budgets swelling everywhere.
- More deep-sea digs for resources.
- Bigger need for ocean monitoring.
- Smarter AI and longer-lasting batteries.
The military side alone? From $4.41 billion in 2025 to $6.52 billion by 2029, thanks to AI swarms and self-driving tricks. Australia’s gearing up to be a top supplier.
In the Asia-Pacific, things are heating up fastest – a 12.5% growth rate through 2030, thanks to all the border squabbles and tensions. It matches the buzz in our mining and defence worlds, drawing investors like bees to honey.
How It All Came Together, Step by Step
This program’s moved at breakneck speed:
- 2022: Anduril snags a $140 million co-dev deal with the Defence Department.
- April 2024: First prototype unveiled in Sydney – a year early and on budget.
- August 2024: Extra $26 million to fast-track from prototype to production line.
- September 2025: The big $1.7 billion contract for full production.
- January 2026: First batch hits the navy.
It kicked off with the navy sharing risks with industry to speed things up – a fresh take on how we buy defence gear.
Teamwork on the World Stage and Real-World Tests
The Ghost Shark’s already rubbed shoulders internationally. Mid-2024, one hitched a ride to Hawaii on a RAAF C-17 for US trials during Exercise RIMPAC.
It starred in the Autonomous Warrior 2024 exercise too, letting the navy and Anduril tweak things in real scenarios. All this plays nice with mates under AUKUS, keeping our gear chatting seamlessly with allies’.
Who’s in the Race, and Where Australia Stands
It’s a crowded field, with heavy hitters like Kongsberg, General Dynamics, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and SAAB leading the pack.
But Australia’s got an edge:
- Home-grown build and tweaks.
- Full government support and local orders locked in.
- Room to sell to partners.
- Top-shelf AI via Anduril’s Lattice.
This puts us shoulder-to-shoulder with the globals, while keeping control of our own kit.
What’s Next – Dreaming Big for the Seas
The Ghost Shark’s more than today’s tool; it’s the bedrock for tomorrow’s sea power. Vice Admiral Hammond’s bullish: “Australia and our allies will keep the upper hand in underwater fights.”
Looking ahead:
- Swarm tech for team ops.
- More payload tweaks for niche jobs.
- Hooking up with ships and manned subs.
- Versions ready for export.
It rides the wave of autonomous war tech. Anduril sees it as a “mothership” that can unleash mini-drones in packs. In a tense region, this underwater smarts could tip the scales in any showdown.
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Wrapping It Up
The Ghost Shark rollout is a milestone for Australia’s defence story. With $1.7 billion on the line and dozens of these bad boys coming, we’re staking our claim as underwater warfare bosses. It’s bigger than guns and subs – it’s about owning the tech, growing jobs, and standing tall on our own.
Come January 2026, as the first ones dive in, they’ll haul Australia’s hopes for ruling the waves in a dodgy neighbourhood. This isn’t just a sub – it’s a blueprint for a tougher, smarter defence tomorrow.
Smart bets on wild tech like this? They hand wins on the battlefield, in the economy, and on the global stage. Australia’s Ghost Shark: proof it’s built for whatever the deep blue throws at it.
