Ghost Sharks get teeth as secret drone subs unveiled

NewsNationalSaveShareNewsNationalNews HomeHome/News/NationalGhost Sharks get 'teeth' as secret drone subs unveiledBy Lucinda Garbutt-Young and Catherine BourisUpdated October 19 2026 - 3:03pm, first published 2:59pmBy Lucinda Garbutt-Young and Catherine BourisUpdated October 19 2026 - 3:03pm, first published 2:59pmSaveSharePat Conroy has announced a fleet of autonomous submarines will patrol Australia's vast coastline. Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOSAustralia's secret line of underwater drones have been given "teeth" as officials reveal payloads for the long-touted Ghost Shark submarines. The US-designed, locally made uncrewed vessels can be used by the Royal Australian Navy to strike opponents, deploy sea mines and undertake intelligence-gathering missions. The drones will be deployed anywhere along Australia's coastline, Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy told reporters on Monday. Payloads - the part of the vessel that performs tasks such as delivering supplies or dropping mines - have now been incorporated into the submarines.