Australia Launches Ghost Shark AUV Factory in Sydney

Defense Feeds – Australia Launches Ghost Shark, marking a major leap in sovereign undersea capability as Anduril Australia officially opens its new 7,400 m² factory in Sydney.

The state-of-the-art facility represents a key milestone in industrial self-reliance and defense innovation.

Just weeks after the Royal Australian Navy awarded Anduril a A$1.7 billion Program of Record for the Ghost Shark project, the first Extra Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (XL-AUV) has already rolled off the production line ahead of schedule and is preparing for undersea testing.

This rapid shift from prototype to production demonstrates Australia’s strategic commitment to deploying advanced autonomous defense technologies that enhance deterrence and reduce dependence on traditional manned submarines.

Modular Design and Deep-Sea Endurance

The Ghost Shark XL-AUV is a long-range, stealthy, and fully autonomous underwater system built for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions.

Its modular design allows it to be reconfigured for various payloads and mission profiles, offering flexibility that conventional submarines cannot match.

The craft can operate independently for up to ten days and dive as deep as 6,000 meters, giving it an exceptional endurance profile for deep-sea or littoral operations.

At the core of its intelligence is Anduril’s Lattice for Mission Autonomy system, which provides real-time decision-making and allows coordinated swarm operations with other unmanned platforms.

This capability supports distributed operations, where multiple autonomous systems work together to extend the Navy’s situational awareness and combat reach.

Ghost Shark’s quiet propulsion, AI-enabled mission autonomy, and ability to operate without human crews make it a cost-effective and resilient force multiplier for Australia’s maritime defense strategy.

Factory Innovation and Local Industry Growth

The Sydney production facility has been purpose-built to support high-volume manufacturing of the Ghost Shark and its commercial variant, the Dive-XL.

It features advanced robotics, AI-managed logistics, and an in-water test tank for validating buoyancy, electrical systems, and safety before sea trials.

Production has already begun under the Low-Rate Initial Production phase and will transition to full-scale production in 2026.

The project is supported by a robust Australian supply chain involving more than 40 local small and medium enterprises.

This network is creating over 150 skilled jobs and expanding the nation’s sovereign defense industrial base.

The facility’s advanced manufacturing approach, which blends automation with local engineering expertise, demonstrates how Australia can independently produce complex, high-technology defense systems that were once the domain of a few major powers.

Export Potential and Regional Strategy

Anduril Australia is positioning the Sydney factory as a hub for future export production, pending government approval.

Potential customers include allied nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.

The facility is also capable of producing other Anduril platforms, including the Dive-LD and the upcoming Copperhead family of high-speed autonomous underwater vehicles.

This program aligns with Australia’s broader investment of more than A$10 billion in autonomous and uncrewed defense systems.

The initiative reflects a strategic move toward distributed and affordable deterrence, leveraging innovation and partnership to maintain security in the Indo-Pacific region.

As Ghost Shark enters service and production scales up, it is set to become a cornerstone of Australia’s next-generation maritime capability and a key contributor to allied undersea operations worldwide.