UPDATE: Australia is stepping into the future of military technology with the launch of the revolutionary Ghost Shark drone, an autonomous submarine designed to enhance naval capabilities. This urgent development comes as officials confirm a staggering $1.7 billion investment to procure dozens of these cutting-edge vessels for the Royal Australian Navy, with the first expected to enter service in January 2024.
Inside a covert facility in Sydney’s inner west, the Ghost Shark is taking shape under the watchful eye of Anduril Industries, a US defense technology firm co-founded by Palmer Luckey. During a recent tour, Anduril’s executive chairman, David Goodrich, highlighted the drone’s advanced features, stating, “It uses extremely powerful AI to sense, detect and make decisions on its own.” Capable of conducting reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike missions, this state-of-the-art technology is designed to undertake the “dull, dirty and dangerous” tasks typically reserved for manned submarines.
In a notable display of confidence, Defence Minister Richard Marles declared the Ghost Shark as the “highest tech capability in the world” during a press event at the navy’s Garden Island base. This announcement follows closely on the heels of a show of force from China, which unveiled new military drones at a ceremony in Beijing. Marles asserted that Australia’s locally developed technology stands unrivaled, emphasizing, “We are really confident… Ghost Shark is the best underwater autonomous military capability on the planet.”
The Ghost Shark is part of a broader push into drone warfare by the Australian Defence Force (ADF), which has faced criticism for lagging behind other nations in adopting autonomous systems. The government is expected to invest $10 billion in drone and counter-drone technology over the next decade, with significant funds allocated to both aerial and underwater drones.
In tandem with the Ghost Shark, the recently tested Ghost Bat drone marks another leap forward for Australia. This autonomous aircraft, developed by Boeing, is the first military combat drone designed and manufactured in Australia in over 50 years. Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy remarked on its potential to transform aerial combat, stating, “The Ghost Bat has the potential to turn a single fighter jet into a fighting team.”
As tensions rise globally, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, drones have proven pivotal in modern warfare. The ADF’s advancements with the Ghost Shark and Ghost Bat reflect a significant shift in strategy, addressing long-standing concerns over Australia’s military capabilities. Former defence officials have criticized the ADF’s slow adoption of drone technology, with experts like retired Major General Mick Ryan highlighting a pressing need for Australia to embrace innovation or risk falling further behind.
While welcoming the progress, some analysts caution that Australia still has a considerable journey ahead. Michael Shoebridge, a former senior defence official, noted the challenges posed by traditional procurement processes and called for an urgent shift towards adopting affordable, replaceable technologies. “We need to be pursuing affordable, replaceable mass,” he stated, emphasizing that while dozens of drones may seem impressive, adversaries like China are operating on a much larger scale.
As the ADF pivots to embrace drone warfare, the implications for national security are profound. With the Ghost Shark and Ghost Bat, Australia is not only enhancing its military capabilities but also responding to a rapidly evolving global landscape where autonomous systems are becoming indispensable. The world will be watching closely as these developments unfold, with the potential to redefine the future of military engagement.
Stay tuned for more updates as Australia takes bold steps into the age of drone warfare.
