Australia will broaden the Ghost Shark autonomous submarine’s role with mine deployment, aerial drones and support for special forces, adding options to a naval program intended for missions far from shore.
At a Sydney announcement on Oct. 19, Australia’s Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy outlined three alternative capabilities: deploying up to 12 sea mines, deploying aerial drones for surveillance or attack, or carrying equipment for special forces. Conroy said production has accelerated and the Australian Navy is receiving the vehicles.
Anduril Industries, a U.S. defense company, builds both the Ghost Shark and the Altius aerial drone. The Australian government announced in 2025 that it would spend almost A$2 billion to acquire Ghost Sharks for intelligence collection, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike missions.
Bloomberg reported that retirements are reducing Australia’s surface fleet, while shipbuilding problems mean replacement vessels are not expected to enter service until the next decade. The Australian government said some of its unmanned systems will take part in an exercise near San Diego this week.
