Fleet of Ghost Sharks set to patrol our waters
The Australian Government is investing $1.7 billion in a fleet of Australian-designed and built extra-large autonomous undersea vehicles, known as Ghost Sharks, for the Royal Australian Navy.
Ghost Shark is an underwater autonomous vehicle development program that has called on expertise from DSTG, the Royal Australian Navy and Anduril Australia, delivering the innovative capability at speed through ASCA.
Announcing the investment, Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said that Ghost Sharks will enhance Australia's undersea warfare capabilities. 'Over the next five years and beyond the Ghost Shark will equip Navy with the intelligence, surveillance and strike capabilities it needs in an increasingly complex strategic environment,' he said.
Strategic importance, local innovation
The five-year contract signed with Anduril Australia for delivery, maintenance, and ongoing development builds on investment since 2022 and will result in over 150 new high-skilled roles at Anduril. Additionally, more than 40 Australian companies will be involved in the supply chain, potentially adding 600 more jobs.
The Ghost Shark investment aligns with 2024 National Defence Strategy priorities and positions Australia for sovereign capability development and export opportunities.
Chief Defence Scientist Professor Tanya Monro says the Ghost Shark project is an example of Defence's innovation system in action, adding that 'by DSTG collaborating with our industry, we are able to co-develop critical capability that meets our specific needs much faster.'
