2026 National Defence Strategy: Australia to build fleet of Speartooth underwater vehicles

Uncrewed and undersea warfare capabilities are considered to be force multiplier for crewed platforms and enhance the agility, asymmetry and survivability of the Australian Defence Force, according to the recently released documents.

Capabilities, like Speartooth and Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous undersea vehicles, are envisioned to support the ADF’s maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and enhance its ability to detect and strike at long‑range.

“Speartooth is capable of conducting shorter range intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, strike and logistics operations at sea,” according to the IIP.

“Due to its smaller size and lower unit cost, Speartooth is optimised for seabed warfare and agile undersea operations, reaching areas Ghost Shark cannot.”

In wider 2026 National Defence Strategy news, the government is committing a $425 billion over the next decade to overhaul the Australian Defence Force. To get there, the government is injecting an extra $14 billion over the next four years and $53 billion over the decade. This funding surge will see Australia’s Defence spending climb to 3 per cent of gross domestic product by 2033.

“Incredible news for C2 Robotics’ Speartooth. The Government’s 2026 National Defence Strategy has confirmed that C2 Robotics’ Speartooth Large Uncrewed Underwater Vessel will form part of the ADF’s future force structure, after four years of high-risk sovereign development,” according to manufacturer C2 Robotics.

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“Speartooth is designed for affordable, scalable undersea operations—delivering ISR, strike, and logistics effects with high autonomy and stealth. Its smaller size and lower cost enable access to areas larger systems cannot, making it well suited to seabed warfare and agile maritime operations.

“This investment reflects a clear shift toward attritable, autonomous systems as a core element of modern military capability.

“We look forward to working with Defence and industry to bring Speartooth into service; while continuing to expand its adoption with international partners. C2R is proud to have conceived, designed and built meaningful Defence capability here in Melbourne.”

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.