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Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy has announced a $1.7 billion, five-year contract to deliver a fleet of next-generation, extra-large autonomous submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.
Defence Connect can officially reveal that the Australian government will commit $1.7 billion over five years to add a fleet of locally designed and built extra-large autonomous submarines, known as Ghost Shark, under a new five-year contract with Anduril Australia.
The deal covers delivery, sustainment and further development of the cutting-edge uncrewed undersea platform, which is designed for long-range intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike missions. Ghost Shark is expected to provide a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capability, complementing both the Navy’s future surface combatants and conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said the acquisition would enhance Australia’s ability to respond to an increasingly complex security environment.
“The Ghost Shark is a world-leading platform made right here in Australia. Over the next five years and beyond, it will give Navy the intelligence, surveillance and strike capabilities it needs,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
Since 2022, the federal government has invested about $145 million in Ghost Shark’s development, payloads and production facilities.
The latest contract will support around 120 existing roles and create more than 150 new long-term, highly skilled jobs at Anduril Australia. Minister Conroy said the program was also driving growth through the supply chain.
“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 120 existing workers and creates more than 150 new high-skilled, local jobs,” Minister Conroy said.
Another 42 Australian companies are contributing to the Ghost Shark program, with an estimated 600 additional jobs to follow from this broader supply chain involvement.
David Goodrich OAM, executive chairman and CEO of Anduril Australia and Asia-Pacific, celebrated this announcement, saying, “Ghost Shark has reached Program of Record status in just three years – a remarkable milestone made possible through an unprecedented co-development and co-investment partnership with Navy, DSTG and ASCA. This achievement reflects what is possible when Defence and industry work shoulder to shoulder: ideating, innovating and inspiring each other to deliver extraordinary advancements in subsea technology.”
The 2024 National Defence Strategy identified uncrewed undersea and surface vessels as a priority for delivering asymmetric advantage to the Australian Defence Force.
The Ghost Shark is classified as an Extra-Large Autonomous Undersea Vehicle (XL-AUV) which will provide the Navy with a cost-effective, stealthy and persistent platform to help secure Australia’s vast maritime approaches.
Beyond meeting domestic needs, the program also offers opportunities for sovereign design, engineering and manufacturing, with strong export potential.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
