SYDNEY, Dec 9 (Reuters) – Big news from down under! Australia just scored a massive A$1.4 billion ($930 million) deal with Boeing Defence Australia, adding six operational Ghost Bat drones to its military arsenal. This announcement follows the first successful live weapon test on a target, marking a significant milestone for the Royal Australian Air Force.
This development comes at a pivotal moment as Australian and U.S. defense and foreign ministers met in Washington. During these talks, security partners also agreed on joint efforts in producing and maintaining hypersonic cruise missiles right here in Australia, adding more rotations of U.S. bombers into the mix.
The U.S. is encouraging its Indo-Pacific ally to ramp up military spending, highlighting a crucial shift in regional defense strategies.
The Ghost Bat, also known as the MQ-28A, represents the first military aircraft proudly designed in Australia in over half a century. This innovative drone is set to operate alongside crewed surveillance and fighter jets, boasting a range that exceeds 3,700 km (2,300 miles).
Defence Minister Richard Marles noted in his statement that the Ghost Bat recently completed tests with an AIM-120 air-to-air missile, signaling its promising capabilities for operational deployment within the Royal Australian Air Force.
Australia has committed to investing A$10 billion in drone technology over the next ten years, emphasizing its dedication to enhancing military capabilities.
During his press conference in Washington following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Marles revealed plans to further develop infrastructure in Northern Australia. This will facilitate increased rotations of U.S. military forces, including fighter jets, bombers, and ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) aircraft, which are currently in the works.
Additionally, they discussed the “pre-positioning of significant American military assets in Australia,” including Osprey aircraft utilized by the U.S. Marine Corps.
Earlier in October, Australia unveiled plans to invest A$1.7 billion into a new fleet of Ghost Shark autonomous undersea vehicles, developed in partnership with U.S.-based startup Anduril Industries.
The Australian Defence Force has expressed a strong interest in implementing autonomous technologies to protect its extensive coastline and cover up to 3 million square kilometers (1.2 million square miles) in northern ocean territories.
(1 USD = 1.5099 AUD)
(Reporting by Kirsty Needham; Edited by Kate Mayberry)
