Australia is advancing its autonomous underwater warfare capabilities, with the Albanese Government unveiling new payload integration developments for Ghost Shark and Speartooth uncrewed underwater vehicles and the BlueBottle platform.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said the developments would strengthen Australia’s defence capabilities and sovereign defence industry.
“In an increasingly complex strategic environment, the Albanese Government is committed to delivering practical outcomes that strengthen Australia’s defence capability and build our sovereign defence industry.”
He said developing advanced payloads under AUKUS Pillar II was a critical part of Australia’s work with the United States and the United Kingdom.
The announcement marks a milestone in the development and testing of advanced undersea technologies, with some payloads set to take part in Exercise Maritime Big Play Pacific, an AUKUS Pillar II exercise being held in San Diego.
The modular platforms can carry different payloads tailored to specific missions. Examples include the remote delivery of supply caches, sea mines and uncrewed aerial vehicles.
The technologies are intended to strengthen Royal Australian Navy capabilities in undersea warfare, seabed operations, sea denial and the protection of critical undersea infrastructure.
The development builds on three years of testing payloads and supporting systems with Australia’s AUKUS partners, the United States and the United Kingdom.
It also complements the first AUKUS Pillar II Signature Project, announced by defence ministers in May, to develop advanced payloads and enabling systems for partner nations’ uncrewed underwater vehicles.
Under the 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program, the Albanese Government is investing up to $5.8 billion over the decade in autonomous and uncrewed undersea warfare capabilities.
This includes $1.7 billion to acquire a new fleet of Australian-designed and built Ghost Shark platforms for the Royal Australian Navy.
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy described Ghost Shark as a flagship Australian success story, highlighting the role of domestic industry in developing autonomous underwater technologies.
“This announcement is yet another landmark moment that underscores Australia is a world leader in the development of autonomous undersea capabilities.”
The Government said the work involves collaboration between the Royal Australian Navy, Defence Science and Technology Group, the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator and defence industry.
The announcement was made at Anduril’s facility in New South Wales, highlighting Australia’s expanding role in developing and manufacturing autonomous undersea systems.
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