Australia Unveils New Payloads for Ghost Shark Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

The Royal Australian Navy has officially revealed new modular payloads for its Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous underwater vehicles. These uncrewed systems are designed to operate clandestinely in maritime environments, providing the military with increased flexibility for future missions. The announcement was made at the Anduril Australia manufacturing facility in Sydney on October 19, 2026. Three specific payloads were showcased during the unveiling, highlighting the diverse roles these underwater drones can perform. One configuration allows the vehicles to deploy sea mines, while another carries a swarm of Altius-600 loitering munitions for surveillance or strike operations. A third payload option provides logistics supply caches to support forces deployed in remote areas. Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy stated that the modular design of these platforms allows them to be customized for a wide range of missions. He noted that the ability to deploy these systems from shipping containers or small vessels creates significant uncertainty for potential adversaries. The Ghost Shark is intended to fill capability gaps while the nation awaits the arrival of future nuclear-powered submarines. Anduril Australia has been producing these autonomous vehicles at an increasing rate to meet the needs of the Australian navy. The government is investing approximately A$1.7 billion, or US$1.2 billion, into the program to acquire dozens of these units. These systems are designed to operate far from Australian shores, enhancing the reach of the country's maritime forces. Navy Chief Vice Admiral Matt Buckley emphasized the importance of evolving these platforms through modular technology. He explained that the ability to adapt uncrewed vessels to new requirements is essential for maintaining a modern and effective defense force. This flexibility allows the military to integrate new sensors and effectors as technology advances. Beyond the Ghost Shark, the Royal Australian Navy is also testing smaller autonomous underwater vehicles like the Speartooth. These efforts are part of a broader push to integrate uncrewed systems into the nation's maritime strategy. The integration of these technologies is being tested in multinational exercises, including recent trilateral experiments with the United States and Japan. These developments occur as Australia undergoes a significant restructuring of its defense procurement apparatus. The government is consolidating three major acquisition and sustainment groups into a new Defence Delivery Agency to improve project management and efficiency. This reform aims to ensure that major investments, including those in autonomous systems, are delivered on time and within budget. As the Australian Defence Force continues to modernize, the focus remains on enhancing both crewed and uncrewed capabilities. The introduction of these new payloads for the Ghost Shark represents a step toward a more integrated and versatile maritime defense posture. Future developments may include the addition of torpedoes and electronic warfare capabilities to the drone fleet.