The key facts

  • Declassified: naval mines, logistics caches, and Altius aerial drones for Ghost Shark
  • Cache equipment developed by Defence Science and Technology Group
  • Announcement made by Minister Pat Conroy in Sydney on Monday

Revealing the drone's new capabilities

Australia has declassified three previously unannounced payload options for its autonomous underwater drone Ghost Shark. As Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy announced in Sydney on Monday, these are naval mines, logistics caches, and unmanned aerial vehicles capable of striking targets.

Mines and support for special operations

Ghost Shark will be able to lay naval mines and also deploy logistics caches with equipment developed by Australia's Defence Science and Technology Group. According to the minister, these caches are intended to support potential operations by special forces.

Altius aerial drones

The third new capability is the launch of Altius unmanned aerial vehicles from the underwater drone. They can perform intelligence gathering, surveillance and aerial reconnaissance, as well as carry out strikes.

Stated goals

Pat Conroy stated that the new capabilities will expand the range of Ghost Shark's missions and strengthen Australia's potential in the field of underwater armed confrontation.