Albanese government inks massive ‘Ghost Shark’ submarine drone deal linked to pro-Trump tech billionaire
Australia’s Navy will begin operating long-range lethal drone submarines early next year, with the Albanese government to spend almost $2 billion to locally build dozens of the large “Ghost Sharks” over coming years.
Major US company Anduril, founded by pro-Trump tech billionaire Palmer Luckey, has been awarded a $1.7 billion contract to produce its autonomous underwater platform in Sydney.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Unveiling the deal at Sydney’s Garden Island Naval base, Defence Minister Richard Marles hailed the Ghost Shark as a “world-leading platform made right here in Australia”.
“Over the next five years and beyond the Ghost Shark will equip Navy with the intelligence, surveillance and strike capabilities it needs in an increasingly complex strategic environment.”
The Albanese government is not publicly revealing how many Ghost Shark submarines will be produced but has confirmed dozens will be built over the next five years and insists concerns raised about their trial performance have been addressed.
“It can operate from ashore. It can operate from surface vessels and therefore it can be deployed forward, and it can be deployed at long range from the Australian bases, Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond told reporters.
