Australia’s First Ghost Shark XL-AUV Rolls Off Sydney Line as Defence Capability Boost
Anduril’s newly opened Sydney facility delivers first production-unit of Ghost Shark series ahead of service entry with Australian navy
The first production unit of the Ghost Shark XL‑AUV has rolled off the assembly line at a new Sydney manufacturing facility, marking a significant milestone in Australia’s effort to build sovereign undersea defence capability.
The event coincided with the official opening of the factory by Anduril Australia, attended by the Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, Chief of Navy Mark Hammond and senior Anduril executives.
The factory launch comes just seven weeks after the awarding of a A$1.7 billion (approximately US$1.1 billion) contract by Royal Australian Navy for delivery of the Ghost Shark XL-AUV fleet over the next five years.
Low-rate initial production is already under way with full-scale ramp-up anticipated in 2026. The first vehicle is ready for in-water verification tests and scheduled for delivery in January 2026.
Minister Conroy described the rollout as an exemplar of how government and industry can rapidly deliver advanced capability to the warfighter.
He highlighted that all three prototypes were delivered on time and on budget, and this first production-unit continues that performance.
Anduril’s CEO and Chairman of Anduril Australia, David Goodrich, emphasised the facility supports not only production of the Ghost Shark but also innovation, investment in the Australian workforce and the defence-industrial base.
Built on a 7,400 m² footprint in Sydney, the facility features integrated robotic production, artificial-intelligence-driven logistics and a custom in-water test tank for buoyancy and electrical verification ahead of commissioning.
More than 40 Australian small and medium enterprises are already part of the supply-chain, and the project is expected to create around 150 high-skilled jobs.
The Ghost Shark XL-AUV is designed to provide long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and strike operations, complementing conventional surface warships and Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS framework.
Its local production gives Australia a sovereign undersea capability supported by domestic infrastructure and workforce.
Anduril will deliver the Ghost Shark fleet to the Royal Australian Navy over the next five years, with the Sydney facility also capable of manufacturing commercial variants and, subject to export approvals from the Australian government, units for allied partner nations.
This delivery represents a key moment in Australia’s investment in uncrewed maritime systems and undersea deterrence capability.
The event coincided with the official opening of the factory by Anduril Australia, attended by the Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, Chief of Navy Mark Hammond and senior Anduril executives.
The factory launch comes just seven weeks after the awarding of a A$1.7 billion (approximately US$1.1 billion) contract by Royal Australian Navy for delivery of the Ghost Shark XL-AUV fleet over the next five years.
Low-rate initial production is already under way with full-scale ramp-up anticipated in 2026. The first vehicle is ready for in-water verification tests and scheduled for delivery in January 2026.
Minister Conroy described the rollout as an exemplar of how government and industry can rapidly deliver advanced capability to the warfighter.
He highlighted that all three prototypes were delivered on time and on budget, and this first production-unit continues that performance.
Anduril’s CEO and Chairman of Anduril Australia, David Goodrich, emphasised the facility supports not only production of the Ghost Shark but also innovation, investment in the Australian workforce and the defence-industrial base.
Built on a 7,400 m² footprint in Sydney, the facility features integrated robotic production, artificial-intelligence-driven logistics and a custom in-water test tank for buoyancy and electrical verification ahead of commissioning.
More than 40 Australian small and medium enterprises are already part of the supply-chain, and the project is expected to create around 150 high-skilled jobs.
The Ghost Shark XL-AUV is designed to provide long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and strike operations, complementing conventional surface warships and Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS framework.
Its local production gives Australia a sovereign undersea capability supported by domestic infrastructure and workforce.
Anduril will deliver the Ghost Shark fleet to the Royal Australian Navy over the next five years, with the Sydney facility also capable of manufacturing commercial variants and, subject to export approvals from the Australian government, units for allied partner nations.
This delivery represents a key moment in Australia’s investment in uncrewed maritime systems and undersea deterrence capability.
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