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The federal government has entered into a co-funding early works contract with American defence subsidiary Anduril Australia to accelerate production of the Ghost Shark long-range autonomous vehicle program.
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Under the agreement between Defence and Anduril Australia, the nation will co-invest $20.1 million alongside Anduril Australia, which will contribute more than $20.1 million to scale the sovereign supply chain and build infrastructure to transition the Ghost Shark program from prototype development to production. To date, Defence has invested $90.1 million.
In addition, Anduril Australia will construct a manufacturing facility that will see the first production variant of the Ghost Shark available by the end of 2025. The company will construct the facility in Australia with a factory capable of manufacturing Ghost Sharks for Defence and its international partners, as well as a commercial variant.
The Ghost Shark program is expected to provide Navy with cost-effective, persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike undersea capability.
“The Ghost Shark early works contract provides a clear example of how the Albanese government is working with Australian industry to accelerate the delivery of cutting-edge sovereign capability,” Minister for Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy said.
“Defence is incentivising industry to make substantial capital investments. Contracts like this help scale Australian industrial capacity and deliver sophisticated defence capability while bringing more investment and jobs into the Australian economy.
“The Ghost Shark program exemplifies how Australia’s defence industry can develop cutting-edge technology and deliver at pace.”
The early works contract will also facilitate investment into the Australian industry supply chain so it can grow and scale alongside Anduril Australia. As many as 42 Australian companies are part of the Ghost Shark supply chain.
The Ghost Shark is part of the federal government’s investment of up to $7 billion for the development and acquisition of subsea warfare capabilities and new autonomous and uncrewed maritime vehicles.
The Royal Australian Navy, Defence Science and Technology Group, and Anduril Australia have co-designed the Ghost Shark prototypes. The Ghost Shark program is being progressed with the support of the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA).
“Ghost Shark has been specifically designed for manufacturability, mass production, and flexibility to create supply chain resilience,” Chief Defence Scientist Professor Tanya Monro AC said.
“DSTG has contributed project management and trusted autonomy skills to ensure scalable success. This shows what can be achieved by focused collaborative development and co-investment.”
The federal government is accelerating the program as part of a commitment to provide the Australian Defence Force with the cutting-edge capabilities it needs to safeguard Australians and their interests.
“The co-funded early works contract between Anduril Australia and Defence will accelerate production readiness of the Ghost Shark program as well as scale the Australian supply chain at an unprecedented pace,” said Professor Emily Hilder, head of ASCA.
“Ghost Shark is a powerful example of how ASCA can help accelerate capability to our warfighters, bringing together parts of the Defence enterprise as well as Anduril Australia, to help deliver an asymmetric advantage.”
