Australia has unveiled three distinct military payloads for its Anduril-developed Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle, confirming that the uncrewed submarines will carry sea mines, loitering munitions, and logistics supply caches.
The Australian Government and the Royal Australian Navy displayed the payload options during an official unveiling on Oct. 19 at Anduril Australia’s manufacturing center. The event showcased the modular flexibility of the extra-large autonomous underwater vehicles, known as XLAUVs, which are backed by a A$1.7 billion (US$1.2 billion) investment program for dozens of hulls.
World Defense News reported that the submarine was developed in partnership with Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group. Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy stated at the event that the uncrewed vessel “has teeth now.”
"Ghost Shark has teeth now." – @PatConroy1, Australia's Minister for Defence Industry.The @ausgov and @Australian_Navy confirmed the payloads that our Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous submarine carries: sea mines, logistics caches, and air-launched effects for ISR and strike.… pic.twitter.com/IALPFpOf4V
Ghost shark payloads deploy mines and loitering munitions
Two of the three unveiled payloads comprise kinetic effectors designed to give the Ghost Shark offensive capabilities in maritime conflicts. A single XLAUV can clandestinely deploy up to a dozen naval sea mines, allowing forces to mine maritime chokepoints covertly. The third payload configuration consists of a swarm of Altius-600 loitering munitions produced by Anduril, which can perform both surveillance and precision-strike missions using 4-kilogram explosive warheads, according to World Defense News.
The third revealed payload involves logistics supply caches. Regarding those deposits, an official noted that people can use their imagination regarding which forces would use them on deployment. The Department of Defence stated that the modular design allows platforms to operate a range of different payloads customized to specific missions. Additional payloads including lightweight and heavyweight torpedoes as well as electronic warfare systems are currently in development.
Australia invests millions to build ghost shark fleet
Canberra is spending A$1.7 billion on its fleet of Ghost Sharks, securing dozens of the vessels to fill capability gaps while the Royal Australian Navy continues operating six aging Collins-class diesel-electric submarines ahead of future nuclear-powered submarine acquisitions. Anduril Australia opened its manufacturing facility less than a year prior to the unveiling. Conroy stated that Ghost Sharks capable of complex missions far from Australian shores are rolling off the line at an increasing rate.
The Ghost Shark features a modular design with independent, standardized bow and stern sections alongside a replaceable central payload bay, World Defense News reported. Ghost Sharks can launch from shipping containers, off the stern of relatively small ships, or directly from wharves. Conroy explained that the deployment flexibility places significant question marks in adversaries’ minds.
Navy Chief Vice Adm. Matt Buckley emphasized that uncrewed platforms must continue to evolve. Buckley noted that modular payloads create enormous flexibility for future missions, strengthen undersea warfare and seabed operations, contribute to sea denial, and protect critical undersea infrastructure.
Trials test interoperability underaukus agreement
The Ghost Shark and its payloads have participated in past Maritime Big Play Pacific events, including one in San Diego. These trials test interoperability under the AUKUS Pillar II technology-sharing agreement between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, according to World Defense News reporting.
Payload testing remains active alongside production runs. The first Ghost Shark was handed over to the Australian Navy for testing and acceptance in early 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Ghost Shark Fleet
How many Ghost Shark submarines is Australia purchasing?
The Australian Government is spending A$1.7 billion to acquire a fleet consisting of “dozens and dozens” of Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous underwater vehicles, though exact hull numbers remain classified.
What specific weapons can the Ghost Shark deploy?
The uncrewed submarine can carry up to 12 naval sea mines per mission and launch swarms of ALTIUS-series air-launched effects, which include reconnaissance models and kamikaze variants equipped with 4 kg explosive warheads.
Where are the Ghost Shark submarines manufactured?
The vehicles are built by Anduril Australia at the company’s manufacturing facility in Sydney, which opened less than a year before the October unveiling event.
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