Australia has revealed new weapons for its Ghost Shark robotic submarines, including naval mines, explosive aerial drones and underwater supply caches, as the government expands its autonomous warfare capabilities. Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy announced the previously secret payloads on Monday, October 19, as the country accelerates production of the Australian-built underwater vehicles.
The submarines will be able to deploy up to 12 sea mines in one mission and launch aerial attacks against targets far from Australian shores. The capabilities form part of a $5.8 billion investment in autonomous underwater warfare over the next decade, giving the Australian Navy more options for operating in hostile waters.
Ghost Shark gains new weapons
The Ghost Shark submarines are being manufactured at a Sydney factory under a $1.7 billion contract with U.S. defense technology company Anduril. The autonomous vehicles can be launched from shipping containers on wharves or deployed from relatively small vessels.
Their newly revealed payloads will expand their role in naval operations. Sea mines could block important shipping routes or restrict enemy warships, while Anduril’s Altius loitering munitions will allow the submarines to launch small aerial drones for surveillance and strikes.
Conroy did not reveal how many armed drones each submarine could carry, citing operational security.
“The Ghost Shark now has teeth, and we’ll have the ability to inflict damage on any potential adversary,” Conroy said.
A third payload will allow the vehicles to deposit equipment and supplies underwater for later collection. This could help special forces operating in hostile territory access essential military supplies without exposing personnel to additional risks.
Production accelerates in Australia
The program has moved from initial development to large-scale production in just three years. The Australian Navy has received its first production submarine, while more than 40 Australian companies have contributed to the supply chain.
“Ghost Shark is a flagship Australian success story that showcases the ingenuity of our defense industry and the value of investing in sovereign capability,” Conroy expressed. “Our government opened this factory less than a year ago, and Ghost Sharks capable of a range of complex missions operating far from our shores are now rolling off the line at an increasing rate into the hands of the Australian Navy.”
Anduril has also indicated plans to equip the submarines with heavyweight and lightweight torpedoes. The company is exploring export opportunities with allied nations, including the United States and Britain.
New systems target underwater threats
Australia has also revealed a submarine-detection capability for its BlueBottle autonomous surface vessel. The system will use a towed sonar array to search for underwater threats, adding another tool to the country’s maritime surveillance network.
The technologies will be demonstrated this week during Exercise Maritime Big Play Pacific in San Diego, involving Australia, the United States and Britain. The event highlights the growing role of autonomous systems in cooperation among the three AUKUS partners.
Robotic submarines to support AUKUS fleet
The Ghost Shark program is advancing as Australia prepares to acquire nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS security partnership. The first US Virginia-class submarines are expected to arrive in the early 2030s, as Canberra pursues a separate $368 billion nuclear submarine program.
Conroy rejected suggestions that autonomous systems could undermine the case for nuclear-powered vessels. He argued that uncrewed submarines could take on dangerous missions, operate alongside the existing Collins-class fleet, and support future Virginia-class and AUKUS submarines.
Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Matt Buckley said autonomous systems would help the Navy operate across Australia’s vast maritime territory and protect critical seabed infrastructure.
“Given the vastness of our maritime geography, the ability to rapidly deliver uncrewed systems adds numbers to our fleet and complements our crewed ships and submarines,” he said.