Australia to spend $1.1 billion on underwater drones
The agreement with Anduril involves the development, supply and maintenance of large underwater marine drones Ghost Shark.
The agreement with Anduril involves the development, supply and maintenance of large underwater marine drones Ghost Shark.
The Australian Department of Defense has signed a contract for 1.7 billion Australian dollars ($1.12) with the company Anduril Australia. According to Defense Express, production of the Ghost Shark has already begun, and the first production models are expected by the end of 2025.
These autonomous submarines are being developed to perform covert missions, including reconnaissance, surveillance, and long-range strikes.
The Ghost Shark is Australia's response to the growing military presence in the region. With its high autonomy and stealth, these drones will be able to operate undetected at a considerable distance from the coast and counter potential threats, including the Chinese navy and its underwater infrastructure, such as fiber-optic cables and pipelines.
Although the exact specifications of the Ghost Shark remain classified, experts believe that they will be equipped with advanced satellite communication systems, allowing them to be controlled from anywhere in the world.
The payload is expected to include sonar and other reconnaissance equipment, as well as possibly torpedoes for strikes.
Recall that Ukraine has developed an underwater drone "Marichka" with a range of over 1,000 km. According to some reports, "Marichka" could have been involved in the attack on the Crimean bridge.
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Developers from Ukraine have created a unique submarine armed with torpedoes and with a "drone" function: photo
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