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Ghost Shark (submarine)
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Ghost Shark (submarine)
The Ghost Shark (also known as Ghost Shark XL-AUV) is a long-range, extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle being jointly developed by Anduril Industries and the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Three prototypes were ordered for the Royal Australian Navy and one for the United States Navy. The first of the submarines was publicly revealed in April 2024, and full-rate production for the RAN was announced in September 2025.
Anduril Industries signed a contract with the Royal Australian Navy and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) in May 2022. Under this contract the company is required to produce three prototype autonomous submarines over three years. It is intended for a design that is suitable for manufacturing to be ready by mid-2025. The submarines were named the 'Ghost Shark' in December 2022. The project forms part of initiatives to modernise the RAN, complements crewed platforms, and will be sovereign Australian technology built in Australia. A number of other projects are also being undertaken to develop autonomous and uncrewed systems for the Australian Defence Force.
The first prototype Ghost Shark, which is designated 'Alpha', was publicly revealed in Sydney in April 2024. At this time, Anduril Australia and Defence stated that the project was running on budget and ahead of schedule. During the unveiling event, Anduril's senior vice president engineering stated that trials of the type had been underway "for some time", though he was unable to disclose for how long.
The Australian Defence Magazine has reported that the ADV Guidance auxiliary ship was likely acquired, in part, to support Ghost Shark trials.
In mid-2024, a Ghost Shark was flown to Hawaii on board a RAAF Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft during Exercise RIMPAC. The submarine will be used for trials in the United States. In August 2024, the Australian Government and Anduril reached an agreement to co-fund initial preparations for Ghost Sharks to be produced in large numbers in Australia.
On 20 August 2025, the Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, announced the Australian DoD is currently engaged in negotiating full rate production of the Ghost Shark XL-AUV. The fast-tracked decision to expand the program from a Systems Design & Development (SDD) stage directly to production was revealed after the contract to build three prototypes was delivered a year earlier than scheduled, and more than satisfied with the capability demonstrated, Government has the confidence to enter into full rate production by the end of 2025.
On 10 September 2025, the Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, announced that Australia was acquiring a fleet of 'dozens' of Ghost Shark XL-AUVs in a A$1.7 billion investment, entering service from early 2026.
More than 40 Australian companies are working as part of the Ghost Shark supply chain, and Anduril has invested $60 million in a sophisticated, robotic XL-AUV manufacturing facility in Australia, producing entirely sovereign autonomous maritime platforms.
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Ghost Shark (submarine) AI simulator
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Ghost Shark (submarine)
The Ghost Shark (also known as Ghost Shark XL-AUV) is a long-range, extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle being jointly developed by Anduril Industries and the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Three prototypes were ordered for the Royal Australian Navy and one for the United States Navy. The first of the submarines was publicly revealed in April 2024, and full-rate production for the RAN was announced in September 2025.
Anduril Industries signed a contract with the Royal Australian Navy and the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) in May 2022. Under this contract the company is required to produce three prototype autonomous submarines over three years. It is intended for a design that is suitable for manufacturing to be ready by mid-2025. The submarines were named the 'Ghost Shark' in December 2022. The project forms part of initiatives to modernise the RAN, complements crewed platforms, and will be sovereign Australian technology built in Australia. A number of other projects are also being undertaken to develop autonomous and uncrewed systems for the Australian Defence Force.
The first prototype Ghost Shark, which is designated 'Alpha', was publicly revealed in Sydney in April 2024. At this time, Anduril Australia and Defence stated that the project was running on budget and ahead of schedule. During the unveiling event, Anduril's senior vice president engineering stated that trials of the type had been underway "for some time", though he was unable to disclose for how long.
The Australian Defence Magazine has reported that the ADV Guidance auxiliary ship was likely acquired, in part, to support Ghost Shark trials.
In mid-2024, a Ghost Shark was flown to Hawaii on board a RAAF Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft during Exercise RIMPAC. The submarine will be used for trials in the United States. In August 2024, the Australian Government and Anduril reached an agreement to co-fund initial preparations for Ghost Sharks to be produced in large numbers in Australia.
On 20 August 2025, the Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, announced the Australian DoD is currently engaged in negotiating full rate production of the Ghost Shark XL-AUV. The fast-tracked decision to expand the program from a Systems Design & Development (SDD) stage directly to production was revealed after the contract to build three prototypes was delivered a year earlier than scheduled, and more than satisfied with the capability demonstrated, Government has the confidence to enter into full rate production by the end of 2025.
On 10 September 2025, the Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, announced that Australia was acquiring a fleet of 'dozens' of Ghost Shark XL-AUVs in a A$1.7 billion investment, entering service from early 2026.
More than 40 Australian companies are working as part of the Ghost Shark supply chain, and Anduril has invested $60 million in a sophisticated, robotic XL-AUV manufacturing facility in Australia, producing entirely sovereign autonomous maritime platforms.