First Ghost Shark swims off Anduril’s new Australian factory floor - Asian Military Review

First Ghost Shark Swims Off Anduril’s New Australian Factory Floor

Anduril Australia inaugurated its new 7,400 m² Ghost Shark manufacturing facility in Sydney on 31 October 2025. The plant will produce extra-large autonomous underwater vehicles (XLAUVs) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

The opening event, attended by Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, featured the rollout of the first series-produced Ghost Shark ahead of schedule.

“The Ghost Shark is the most high-tech, long-range autonomous underwater capability that exists in the world today,” said Pat Conroy.

This milestone came just seven weeks after the RAN granted Anduril a A$1.7 billion (US$1.1 billion) contract to supply a fleet of Ghost Sharks. The first vessel is ready for sea trials and is expected to enter service by January 2026. Additional underwater vehicles will be delivered over the next five years.

Anduril has now entered a low-rate initial production phase, with full-scale manufacturing planned for 2026.

Conroy noted that the project “is an exemplar of how the government and Defence are partnering with innovative companies to rapidly deliver capability to the warfighter”.

Before the current production programme, Anduril had already partnered with the Australian government to design and build three Ghost Shark prototypes under a three-year, A$140 million (US$92 million) contract.

Author’s summary:

The opening of Anduril’s new facility marks a major step for Australia’s underwater defence technology, accelerating production of advanced Ghost Shark XLAUVs for the Navy.

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Asian Military Review Asian Military Review — 2025-11-05

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