Anduril Opens Sydney Factory to Build Ghost Shark Undersea Drones
New Australian facility launched to produce autonomous Ghost Shark drones under a A$1.7 billion contract for the Royal Australian Navy
A U.S. defence-technology company has officially opened a new 7,400-square-metre manufacturing facility in Sydney to produce its “Ghost Shark” autonomous undersea drones under a A$1.7 billion (US$1.1 billion) contract with the Australian Government.
The contract, announced in September, spans a five-year production programme for the Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous under-water vehicles (XL-AUVs) for the Royal Australian Navy and allied markets.
The first vehicle has already been completed ahead of schedule and is now undergoing in-water testing ahead of a planned delivery in January 2026.
Built by Anduril Industries’s Australian arm, the plant is expected to ramp up to full-scale production in 2026 and create approximately 150 skilled jobs.
In addition, more than 40 Australian small- and medium-sized enterprises will supply parts, components and services for the programme, strengthening the local defence supply chain.
Reflecting its broader strategic ambition, the builder noted that drones may be exported to the United States and other allied nations subject to government approval.
Australian Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the project will enhance domestic manufacturing capability and deliver well-paid, high-skill jobs.
Anduril Australia’s CEO David Goodrich described the occasion as “a defining moment in our mission to bring sovereign undersea capability to Australia.” The Ghost Shark programme is a central pillar of Australia’s focus on maritime autonomy and long-range undersea deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, complementing the navy’s future surface and submarine fleets.
As the facility begins low-rate initial production, full-rate manufacturing is expected to commence in the coming year.
The initiative underscores Australia’s strategic commitment to developing sovereign defence-industry capacity and delivering advanced autonomous systems at pace.
The contract, announced in September, spans a five-year production programme for the Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous under-water vehicles (XL-AUVs) for the Royal Australian Navy and allied markets.
The first vehicle has already been completed ahead of schedule and is now undergoing in-water testing ahead of a planned delivery in January 2026.
Built by Anduril Industries’s Australian arm, the plant is expected to ramp up to full-scale production in 2026 and create approximately 150 skilled jobs.
In addition, more than 40 Australian small- and medium-sized enterprises will supply parts, components and services for the programme, strengthening the local defence supply chain.
Reflecting its broader strategic ambition, the builder noted that drones may be exported to the United States and other allied nations subject to government approval.
Australian Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said the project will enhance domestic manufacturing capability and deliver well-paid, high-skill jobs.
Anduril Australia’s CEO David Goodrich described the occasion as “a defining moment in our mission to bring sovereign undersea capability to Australia.” The Ghost Shark programme is a central pillar of Australia’s focus on maritime autonomy and long-range undersea deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, complementing the navy’s future surface and submarine fleets.
As the facility begins low-rate initial production, full-rate manufacturing is expected to commence in the coming year.
The initiative underscores Australia’s strategic commitment to developing sovereign defence-industry capacity and delivering advanced autonomous systems at pace.
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