SYDNEY, — Australia has unveiled the weapons and payload capabilities of its Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XL-AUV), developed by Anduril Industries in partnership with Australia's Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG). The unmanned submarine is entering production with capabilities for mine warfare, drone deployment, reconnaissance and covert logistics.
During a visit to Anduril's Sydney manufacturing facility on October 19, Australia's Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, confirmed the vehicle's expanded capabilities, stating that the submarine “has teeth now.”
The Australian Government and the Royal Australian Navy revealed three primary payload capabilities:
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Mine warfare: A single Ghost Shark can carry and deploy up to 12 naval sea mines per mission.
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Air-launched effects: The submarine can launch swarms of ALTIUS-series drones, including reconnaissance models and kamikaze variants equipped with 4 kg explosive warheads. These support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and precision-strike missions.
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Covert logistics: The vehicle can deposit supply caches on the seabed to support special operations forces operating in high-risk or hostile coastal environments.
"Ghost Shark has teeth now." - @PatConroy1, Australia's Minister for Defence Industry. The @ausgov and @Australian_Navy confirmed the payloads that our Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous submarine carries: sea mines, logistics caches, and air-launched effects for ISR and strike. Ghost Sharks are rolling off the production line. Payload testing is active.
— Anduril Industries (@anduriltech) October 21, 2026
Modular Design and Payload Testing
The Ghost Shark features a modular design with independent, standardised bow and stern sections and a replaceable central payload bay. This allows the same vehicle to accommodate different mission-specific systems, including mines, drones and underwater logistics payloads.
Payload testing is underway, and the Ghost Shark and its newly revealed systems are scheduled to participate in the “Maritime Big Play Pacific” military exercises in San Diego. The exercises will test interoperability under the AUKUS Pillar II technology-sharing agreement, which promotes cooperation among Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States on advanced defence technologies.
$1.7 Billion Investment Supports Production
The programme is advancing following a $1.7 billion government investment announced in late 2025 to acquire a fleet of dozens of Ghost Shark autonomous underwater vehicles. The submarines are now rolling off the production line for delivery to the Royal Australian Navy, although payload testing remains active.
Conroy described Ghost Shark as a flagship Australian defence industry success, highlighting the importance of domestic technological development and investment in sovereign capability.
“Ghost Shark is a flagship Australian success story that showcases the ingenuity of our defence industry and the value of investing in sovereign capability,” Conroy said.
He added that Ghost Sharks designed to conduct complex missions far from Australian shores were now rolling off the production line and entering the hands of the Australian Navy.
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