Anduril Opens Ghost Shark Factory in Sydney
US-based defense technology firm Anduril Industries has officially launched a new 7,400-square-meter manufacturing facility in Sydney, Australia. The site is dedicated to producing the Ghost Shark, an extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle (XL-AUV) designed for defense purposes.
Partnership with the Royal Australian Navy
The new facility’s opening follows the Royal Australian Navy’s $1.12 billion (A$1.7 billion) contract for a fleet of Ghost Shark vehicles, to be delivered over the next five years.
Advanced Manufacturing and Local Impact
The Sydney manufacturing plant integrates advanced robotic assembly lines, AI-guided logistics, and a specialized test tank for in-water verification of buoyancy, electrical performance, and safety before sea trials. This initiative is expected to create more than 150 highly skilled jobs and supports over 40 Australian small and medium-sized enterprises within its supply chain.
Production Timeline and Future Exports
Anduril’s Ghost Shark program is now in its low-rate initial production phase, with full-scale manufacturing planned for 2026. The site will also prepare for the development of Dive-XL, a commercial variant intended for export to global allies and partners, pending approval from the Australian government.
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Author’s Summary
The Sydney facility marks a major milestone for Anduril, strengthening Australia’s defense capabilities and advancing autonomous underwater technology for future global partnerships.