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Australia is interested in acquiring strike capability for the MQ-28A Ghost Bat drone, according to new comments from Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy.
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The official clarification came in response to recent speculation that the MQ-28A Ghost Bat drone would not carry weapons and instead be shifted to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance roles.
The aircraft, first unveiled to the world in May 2020, is the first military aircraft designed, engineered, and manufactured in Australia in over 50 years. It uses AI to help both crewed and uncrewed aircraft in mid-air, hence its previous Australian project name, Loyal Wingman.
Minister Conroy, speaking to defence industry representatives at the Defence Connect Defence Industry Development Strategy (DIDS) Summit 2024 on 6 August, said public commentary had “gotten the wrong end of the stick” regarding weaponisation of the uncrewed aircraft.
"We have made it clear we are looking for immediate bang for buck (regarding ISR on the Ghost Bat program),” he said at the conference.
"Certainly, we are very open for Ghost Bat to have strike capability, we just want the intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance first."
The Ghost Bat is set to cost more than $800 million, with the government in February announcing an extra $400 million investment into the project.
Defence said at the time that the additional funding would secure more than 350 jobs, with Minister Conroy extolling the program’s merits.
Additionally, March saw the beginning of construction on a new $550 million Boeing facility at Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport to construct the Ghost Bat.
Once complete, the 9,000-square-metre facility at Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precinct will include manufacturing capabilities such as carbon fibre composites manufacture and advanced robotic assembly for major components.
During his speech, Minister Conroy also elaborated on Australia’s pursuit of guided weapons and explosive ordnance.
“The war in Ukraine has highlighted how vital the supply of munitions is to modern armed forces and the fragility of supply chains for global weapons,” he said.
“The Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise – better known as ‘GWEO’ – is the answer.
“Its first priority is to rapidly establish the domestic manufacturing of guided weapons, starting with the assembly of imported components and progressing to local manufacturing of selected components.
“Close collaboration with our international partners, including the US, is critical to building the industrial base.
“Building on the joint commitment between Australia and the US at last year’s AUSMIN consultations; 2025 will see Lockheed Martin beginning to assemble Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System missiles in Australia. An important first step toward establishing domestic missile manufacturing on a large scale.
“Over time, as domestic capability and capacity grows, the focus will shift to the manufacture of higher-complexity weapons and components.
“And we are uplifting the industrial base right now to be ready – as shown by the government’s $220 million investment in the munitions factories at Mulwala and Benalla.
“We’ll have more to say on the government’s plan for guided weapons and explosive ordnance in the upcoming GWEO Enterprise Plan.”
The Defence Industry Minister presented a keynote session at the DIDS Summit about the key features of the strategy, including critical procurement reforms within defence, and increased funding for defence industry grants programs (which takes the total investment to $183.8 million, in alignment with DIDS), and the seven Sovereign Defence Industrial Priorities (SDIP).
The federal government had previously released the landmark DIDS in February (building on the 2023 Defence Strategic Review) in which it committed to increased funding and established pathways for bolstering support for Australia’s defence industry.
The strategy details the actions the government will take to grow the defence industrial base in Australia (which employs more than 100,000 Australians) in the face of changing strategic circumstances.
It also outlines how it will deliver a greater partnership between defence and industry, including critical defence procurement reforms, and increased funding for defence industry grants programs.
