First of „Dozens” of Extra Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicles to be Delivered.
The first Anduril Ghost Shark Extra Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (XL-AUV) destined for the Australian Navy has been completed at Anduril’s new manufacturing facility in Sydney, Australia. The vehicle is the first of what is expected to be „dozens.”
The announcement coincided with the opening ceremony of the new facility, attended by Australian Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy, Chief of Navy Vice Adm. Mark Hammond, Anduril Senior Vice-President Shane Arnott, and Anduril CEO and Chairman Australia David Goodrich.
Minister Conroy highlighted the rapid development of the XL-AUV, progressing from concept to reality in under three years. The three prototypes were delivered on budget and ahead of schedule. This latest Ghost Shark was delivered under a 1.7 billion AUD (1.1 billion USD) contract announced just seven weeks prior, according to Anduril.
Conroy stated, „Ghost Shark is an exemplar of how the Government and Defence is partnering with innovative companies to rapidly deliver capability to the warfighter.”
Goodrich added, „Today marks a defining moment in our mission to bring sovereign undersea capability to Australia. With the opening of this new facility, we are not only building local infrastructure and workforce — we are investing in innovation, in partnerships, and in the future defence of our nation.”
The XL-AUV is now ready for sea acceptance testing, with planned delivery to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) scheduled for January 2026. Anduril anticipates that the facility will ramp up Ghost Shark production to full-scale levels in 2026, from its current Low Rate Production levels.
Over the next five years, the company will deliver the fleet of Ghost Sharks to the RAN. Production will occur at the purpose-built facility, which can also produce the Dive-XL, Ghost Shark’s commercial baseline vehicle.
The facility features integrated robotic production, AI ground vehicles, and a custom test tank for in-water verification of buoyancy, electrical systems, and safety prior to sea trials. Anduril is also exploring the possibility of producing Ghost Sharks for allies and partner nations in Sydney in the future, contingent on Australian government export approval.
Background: Collaboration with RAN and DSTG
In May 2022, Anduril initially signed a co-development contract with the RAN and Australia’s Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) to produce three prototype XL-AUVs over three years. The first prototype Ghost Shark was delivered in 2024, with the program completing all deliveries on budget and on time.
Australia intends to utilize the platform for stealthy long-range intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike operations. It will complement its future surface combatant fleet and the nuclear‑powered submarines that will be delivered under the AUKUS pact.
